View source for Tranz Metro

{{Short description|Defunct New Zealand railway operator}}
{{redirect distinguish|Cityrail|CityRail}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox Public transit
| box_width = 
| name = Tranz Metro
| image = TranzMetroLogo.png
| imagesize = 
| alt = The Tranz Metro logo.
| locale = [[Wellington Region]], New Zealand
| transit_type = [[Regional rail|Suburban rail]]
| lines = 5
| stations = 49
| annual_ridership = 11.6 million (2013-14)<ref name="GWRCannual">{{cite web |url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/council-reports/Report_PDFs/2014.648a1.pdf |title= Wellington Metropolitan Rail 2013/14 Annual Report |publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council |date= 30 June 2014 |accessdate= 24 July 2015 |archive-date= 24 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024611/http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/council-reports/Report_PDFs/2014.648a1.pdf |url-status= live }}</ref>
| headquarters = [[Wellington railway station]], [[Wellington]]
| began_operation = 4 July 1938 (electric trains introduced in Wellington)<ref name="start">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/page/electric-trains-come-wellington|date=20 December 2012|title=Electric trains come to Wellington|publisher=New Zealand History online|access-date=14 January 2013|archive-date=22 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122094655/http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/page/electric-trains-come-wellington|url-status=live}}</ref><br />1984 (Cityrail created)<br /> 18 October 1995 (Renamed Tranz Metro)
| ended_operation = 2 July 2016 (replaced by [[Transdev Wellington]])
| owner = [[KiwiRail]]
| vehicles = 166
| system_length = {{convert|154|km|abbr=on}}
| track_gauge = {{track gauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
| el = {{1,500 V DC}} [[overhead catenary]] ({{convert|95|km|abbr=on|disp=or}})
| caption = 
| area served = 
| line_number = 
| start = 
| end = 
| chief_executive = 
| website = 
| operator = 
| character = 
| map = 
| map_state = 
}}

'''Tranz Metro''' (formerly '''Cityrail''' and before that '''Cityline''') was a [[Public transport in New Zealand|New Zealand public transport operator]]. Beginning as the [[New Zealand Railways Corporation]]'s Cityline division as a result of restructuring in the 1980s, in its final form Tranz Metro was the operator of [[Public transport in the Wellington Region|Metlink's]] [[Regional rail|suburban trains]] owned by the [[Greater Wellington Regional Council]] in the [[Wellington Region]] of New Zealand.

Since 3 July 2016, Wellington's commuter rail services have been operated by [[Transdev Wellington]].<ref name=transdev>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/75208588/Wellingtons-trains-to-be-run-by-French-company-Transdev-after-KiwiRail-loses-contract|title=Wellingtons trains to be run by French company Transdev after KiwiRail loses contract|date=17 December 2015|accessdate=21 January 2016|publisher=The Dominion Post|archive-date=17 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217012056/http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/75208588/wellingtons-trains-to-be-run-by-french-company-transdev-after-kiwirail-loses-contract|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
Suburban passenger rail services in [[Auckland]] and Wellington were a part of the [[New Zealand Railways Department]], while bus services were owned either by city corporations or Railways Road Services. With the restructuring of the department into the [[New Zealand Railways Corporation]] in 1982, the Auckland suburban rail operation was branded "Cityrail Auckland" from 1984 and later in the mid 1980s, suburban bus and rail services were branded ''Cityline'' as part of the Corporation's Rail Passenger Group. Further restructuring of the rail network came in 1991, and the suburban rail operations were renamed "Cityrail" after they were transferred to New Zealand Rail Limited in 1991. That year the [[Auckland Regional Council]] bought the Auckland Cityrail fleet and contracted New Zealand Rail to run it, extending the contract until 1993 and again for 10 years until 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oag.govt.nz/2003/akld-rail|title=Auckland Region Passenger Rail Service Report|date=4 November 2003|publisher=[[Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand]]|access-date=9 January 2012|archive-date=8 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208135703/http://oag.govt.nz/2003/akld-rail|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1993, New Zealand Rail Limited was privatised, renamed [[Tranz Rail]] in 1995, with Cityrail rebranded Tranz Metro. On 15 December 2000, as part of management changes at Tranz Rail, the company split Tranz Metro into wholly owned subsidiaries Tranz Metro Auckland Ltd<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/1107297?backurl=%2Fcompanies%2Fapp%2Fui%2Fpages%2Fcompanies%2Fsearch%3Fmode%3Dstandard%26type%3Dentities%26q%3DTranz%2520Metro|title=Companies Office - Tranz Metro Auckland Limited|date=15 December 2000|accessdate=10 January 2012|publisher=Companies Office}}</ref> and Tranz Metro Wellington Ltd,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/1107306?backurl=%2Fcompanies%2Fapp%2Fui%2Fpages%2Fcompanies%2Fsearch%3Fmode%3Dstandard%26type%3Dentities%26q%3DTranz%2520Metro|title=Companies Office - Tranz Metro Wellington Limited|date=15 December 2000|accessdate=10 January 2012|publisher=Companies Office}}</ref> with the intention of selling them. [[Stagecoach Group#New Zealand|Stagecoach New Zealand]] and [[Greater Wellington Regional Council]] (GWRC) announced their intention to bid for the Wellington company, but both were barred by the [[Commerce Commission]] from doing so. Tranz Rail did not bid for the Auckland contract when it expired in 2003. [[Veolia Transport|Connex]] (later Veolia and now [[Transdev Auckland|Transdev]]) won the contract, and took over from 23 August 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/traffic/news/article.cfm?c_id=348&objectid=3586089|title=New hand on lever of Auckland's trains|author=Matthew Dearney|newspaper=[[New Zealand Herald]]|date=23 August 2004|accessdate=9 January 2012|archive-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111110555/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/traffic/news/article.cfm?c_id=348&objectid=3586089|url-status=live}}</ref> Tranz Metro Wellington reverted to a business unit of Tranz Rail, with new contracts being signed with GWRC in 2006 for network access, rolling stock maintenance and service delivery. The contracts expired in 2016.<ref name=transdev2>{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/transdev-auckland-eyes-kiwirail-s-wellington-contract-6008397|title=Transdev Auckland eyes Kiwirail's Wellington contract|publisher=TVNZ|date=20 June 2014|access-date=19 June 2014|archive-date=18 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818124056/http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/transdev-auckland-eyes-kiwirail-s-wellington-contract-6008397|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2004, [[Toll Holdings]] bought a majority shareholding in Tranz Rail and renamed the company [[Toll Domestic Forwarding|Toll NZ]], and on 1 July 2008, it was bought (less the Tranz Link trucking and distribution arm) by the government and renamed [[KiwiRail]]. In October 2009, Cabinet agreed on a Metropolitan Rail Operating Model, which requires the operating contracts for metropolitan rail operations to be "contestable". This is in line with Auckland's rail contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/rail/MetroRail/|publisher=[[Ministry of Transport (New Zealand)|Ministry of Transport]]|title=Metropolitan Rail Operating Model|date=October 2009|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927014238/http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/rail/MetroRail/|url-status=live}}</ref>

An agreement signed in July 2011 transferred ownership of KiwiRail's station buildings, excluding [[Wellington railway station]], to the GWRC, along with the [[New Zealand DM class electric multiple unit|D/DM class]] and [[New Zealand EM class electric multiple unit|EM/ET units]] (the [[New Zealand FP class electric multiple unit|FP/FT units]] were already owned by GWRC). KiwiRail retained ownership of the tracks, platforms, electric traction and signalling systems.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5236334/168m-Wellington-rail-package-signed|title=$168m Wellington Rail Package Signed|date=5 July 2011|newspaper=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-date=8 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708060023/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5236334/168m-Wellington-rail-package-signed|url-status=live}}</ref> The assets were valued at $107.5 million.<ref name="annual-result">{{cite web|url=http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=97&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=58|accessdate=30 August 2011|title=KiwiRail on track with 29% increase in operating surplus|publisher=KiwiRail|date=29 August 2011|archive-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924062553/http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=97&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=58|url-status=live}}</ref> Ownership of the fleet transferred on 1 July 2011 to Greater Wellington Rail Ltd, formed by Greater Wellington Regional Council in 2006.<ref name="ownership">{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4752820/Capital-gets-88-million-rail-upgrade|title=Capital gets $88 million rail upgrade|newspaper=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|date=10 March 2011|accessdate=26 April 2011|archive-date=13 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313011946/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4752820/Capital-gets-88-million-rail-upgrade|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, [[Transdev Australasia|Transdev]] announced its intention to bid for the operations contract when it came up for renewal in 2016.<ref name=transdev /> The contract was awarded to a partnership between Transdev and [[Hyundai Rotem]] effective from July 2016.<ref>[http://www.transdev.com.au/index.php?mact=NewsManager,cntnt01,frontend_article_details,0&cntnt01article_id=86&cntnt01returnid=36 TRANSDEV HYUNDAI ROTEM ANNOUNCED PREFERRED BIDDER TO OPERATE GREATER WELLINGTON RAIL NETWORK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126154827/http://www.transdev.com.au/index.php?mact=NewsManager,cntnt01,frontend_article_details,0&cntnt01article_id=86&cntnt01returnid=36 |date=26 January 2016 }}, ''Transdev Australasia'', Retrieved 5 January 2016</ref>

===Operations===
[[File:Tranz Metro network map.svg|thumb|Schematic map of the Metlink rail network, operated by Tranz Metro]]
Metlink trains are operated under contract from the GWRC, which subsidises the operation and owns station buildings and rolling stock. Typically, 60% of that subsidy comes from central government through the [[NZ Transport Agency]] (formerly [[Land Transport New Zealand]]), which approves such funding after analysis of the economics and net benefits, the remainder coming from the GWRC. Public consultation in 2005–2006 resulted in some changes of emphasis in the new contract, which runs for ten years from June 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gw.govt.nz/Rail-contract-approved-by-Greater-Wellington/|title=Rail contract approved by Greater Wellington|publisher=Greater Wellington Regional Council|date=29 June 2006|access-date=2 October 2009|archive-date=22 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222061010/http://www.gw.govt.nz/Rail-contract-approved-by-Greater-Wellington/|url-status=live}}</ref> The September 2006 fare rises and section changes were stated to part-pay for a major upgrade of trains and facilities over the next few years in conjunction with regional bus service improvements.

===Rolling stock===
Rolling stock as at 2 July 2016:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Image
! Class
! Type
! Number
! Seats
! Routes operated
! colspan=2 | Introduction
|-
| [[File:NZR FP class 01.JPG|100px]]
| [[New Zealand FP class electric multiple unit|FP class]]<br />''Matangi''
| [[electric multiple unit]]
| 83× 2-car sets
| 149
| [[Kapiti Line]] <br /> [[Melling Line]] <br /> [[Hutt Valley Line]] <br /> [[Johnsonville Line]]
| colspan=2 | 2011–16
|-
| [[File:Metlink SW 3394 at Masterton Station.JPG|100px]]
| [[New Zealand British Rail Mark 2 carriage|SW class]]
| [[Passenger car (rail)|passenger carriage]]
| 12× SW <br /> 3× SWG <br /> 3× SWS
| 64 (SW) <br /> 37 (SWG/SWS)
| [[Wairarapa Connection]]
| colspan=2 | 2007
|-
| [[File:DCP4818 and SW set at Carterton station with Waiararapa Connection.jpg|100px]]
| [[New Zealand British Rail Mark 2 carriage|SE class]]
| [[Passenger car (rail)|passenger carriage]]
| 4× SE <br /> 1× SEG <br /> 1× SES
| 64 (SE) <br /> 37 (SEG/SES)
| [[Wairarapa Line]] <br /> ''[[Kapiti Line]] (former)'' <br /> ''[[Hutt Valley Line]] (former)''
| colspan=2 | 2008 (HVL and KPL, withdrawn 2011)<br />2013 (WRL)
|-
| 
| [[NZR FM guards van|AG class]]
| [[Baggage car|luggage van]]
| 1
| -
| [[Wairarapa Connection]]
| colspan=2 | 2007
|-
| [[File:TranzAlpine departing Springfield.jpg|100px]]
| [[New Zealand DF class locomotive (1979)|DFB class]]
| [[diesel locomotive|diesel-electric locomotive]]
| 5
| -
| [[Wairarapa Connection]]
| colspan=2 | 2015
|}

====Former rolling stock====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Image
! Class
! Type
! Number
! Seats
! Routes operated
! Introduction
! Withdrawal
|-
| [[File:EM 1367 leading a southbound 4 car set as the morning sun breaks through the clouds, near Epuni - 17 May 2003.jpg|100px]]
| [[New Zealand EM class electric multiple unit|EM/ET class]]<br />''Ganz Mavag''
| [[electric multiple unit]]
| 44× 2-car sets
| 148
| [[Kapiti Line]]<br />[[Melling Line]]<br />[[Hutt Valley Line]]
| 1981–82
| 2011–16
|-
| [[File:NZR DM class EMU 06.JPG|100px]]
| [[New Zealand DM class electric multiple unit|DM/D class]]<br />''English Electric''
| [[electric multiple unit]]
| 49
| 132
| [[Hutt Valley Line]] <br /> [[Johnsonville Line]]
| 1938–1954
| 1983–2012
|-
| [[File:NZR-EA-Wellington.jpg|100px]]
| [[New Zealand EA class locomotive|EO class]]
| [[electric locomotive]]
| 3
| -
| [[Kapiti Line]] <br /> [[Hutt Valley Line]]
| 2008
| 2011<ref name="railfan_december_2011">{{cite journal|title=Railfan|journal=New Zealand Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=18|number=1|issn=1173-2229|date=December 2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[File:Electric Locomotives Near Paekakariki.jpg|100px]]
| [[NZR EW class|EW class]]
| [[electric locomotive]]
| 7
| -
| [[Kapiti Line]] <br /> [[Melling Line]] <br /> [[Hutt Valley Line]] <br /> [[Johnsonville Line]]
| 1952
| 1988
|-
| [[File:TGR 56er.JPG|100px]]
| [[NZR 56-foot carriage]]
| [[Passenger car (rail)|passenger carriage]]
| 
| up to 56
| [[Kapiti Line]] <br /> [[Melling Line]] <br /> [[Hutt Valley Line]] <br /> [[Johnsonville Line]] <br /> [[Wairarapa Connection]]
| 1937–1945
| 1988 (except Wairarapa and Capital Connection) <br /> 1998 (Capital Connection) <br /> 2007 (Wairarapa Connection)
|-
| [[File:DCP4818 Wairarapa.jpg|100px]]
| [[New Zealand DC class locomotive|DC class]]
| [[diesel locomotive|diesel-electric locomotive]]
| 4
| -
| [[Wairarapa Connection]]
| 1978–80
| 2015
|}

=== Upgrades ===
In 2008-2011, KiwiRail and GWRC undertook a major upgrade of the Metlink network, dubbed the Wellington Regional Rail Programme (WRPP). The $390 million programme included:<ref>http://www.gw.govt.nz/story31646.cfm? {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>

*The purchase of 48 two-car electric multiple units, the [[New Zealand FP class electric multiple unit|"Matangi" FP/FT class]], to replace the aging DM/D class units and to increase capacity.
*Upgrading the electrification system, including refurbishing the overhead lines and masts and 12 new substations to increase electrical supply for the Matangi units.
*Upgrading the [[railway signalling|signalling system]], including replacing control systems and signal wiring and hardening the track circuits from interference with the electrification.
*Upgrading platforms at several stations to accommodate Matangi units and longer train lengths.
*Upgrading the Johnsonville Line to accommodate both Ganz Mavag and Matangi units, by improving the loading gauge in the tunnels and under some bridges.
*Lengthening the three [[passing loop|crossing loops]] on the Johnsonville Line to take longer trains.
*Double-tracking the Kapiti Line from [[Mackays Crossing]] through [[Paraparaumu]] to just south of [[Waikanae]], to increase capacity. (The double track stops short of Waikanae Station to avoid the cost of building second bridges over [[New Zealand State Highway 1|State Highway 1]] and the [[Waikanae River]].)
*[[Railway electrification system|Electrifying]] the Kapiti Line from Paraparaumu to Waikanae.
*Adding additional stabling storage at Paekakariki and Waikanae for the Matangi and Ganz Mavag units.
*Installing a third, bi-directional, line into between Wellington Station and the Kapiti/Hutt Valley line junction to ease congestion at peak times.

Work started on the programme in 2008, and was largely completed in February 2011.<ref>[http://www.ontrack.govt.nz/ourprojects/WRRP_Home/Pages/default.aspx Wellington Region Rail Programme (WRRP)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430112410/http://www.ontrack.govt.nz/ourprojects/WRRP_Home/Pages/default.aspx |date=30 April 2009 }}, Ontrack.</ref>

== Funding ==
In 2011/2012, Tranz Metro had annual operational expenses of $80.437m, and revenues of $80.442m. Most revenue (47% or $37.8m) comes from fares, 22% or $17.69m comes from [[Wellington Regional Council]] rates, and 30% or $24.13m from [[NZ Transport Agency]] public transport funding.<ref name="annual report">{{cite web|url=http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Transport/Public-transport/Docs/Wellington-Regional-Rail-Annual-Report-11-12.pdf|title=Wellington Regional Rail Annual Report 2011/2012|access-date=23 February 2014|archive-date=23 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123043725/http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Transport/Public-transport/Docs/Wellington-Regional-Rail-Annual-Report-11-12.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Rail transport in New Zealand]]
* [[Public transport in the Wellington Region]]
* [[List of Wellington railway stations]]
* [[List of rapid transit systems]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{NZ RailOps}}

[[Category:Railway companies of New Zealand]]