The Capital Connection now has 5 newly refurbished carriages that will be in service from next Monday (31 July 2023). According to Major upgrade for Capital Connection train service between Palmerston North and Wellington | RNZ News:
More carriages are currently being upgraded locally at KiwiRail's Hutt Workshops with 11 in total eventually able be to be used.
Transport Minister David Parker said the refurbished carriages would tide the service over until brand new hybrid trains were brought onto the network within five years.
"These new, refurbed coaches increase the quality of what people can use but also the quantity."
The next step, once the hybrid trains arrived, would be increasing the number of Capital Connection services, Parker said.
In terms of what the newly-fitted carriages actually look like inside, they are warm, comfortable and quiet.
They are refurbished with new seats, carpets, tables, bathrooms and a cafe with barista coffee sold on board.
Wheelchair access is available and a special area to store bikes has been included.
People can also expect the ride to be much smoother than before with improved suspension across the carriages.
