New Zealand / Regional

Train speeds to increase within days

21:12 pm on 5 May 2014

Auckland's new trains could be running at full speed by the end of the week, Auckland Transport says.

Commuters at Onehunga station Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall

Drivers have complained the new electric trains have had their speed capped to slower than the fleet they replaced.

A $600 million train fleet is being introduced to encourage more commuters to use rail but in some areas they are 10km/h slower than the old fleet.

Auckland Transport Group Manager for Public Transport Mark Lambert said the speed cap was a safety precaution while drivers got used to the new trains, and he hoped to lift it in a matter of days.

Regional organiser Stuart Johnstone said drivers were frustrated and the union would meet Transdev, which operated the trains, on Thursday to ask for changes.