Alstom has secured a contract worth EUR 538 million (NZD 1,065 million) from the Greater Wellington Regional Council to design, manufacture, and supply 18 battery-electric multiple unit (BEMU) five-car trains, along with 35 years of fleet maintenance. The trains, named Tūhono, will be manufactured at Alstom’s facility in Savli, Gujarat, India.
The new trains will replace the existing diesel locomotive-hauled fleet scheduled for retirement in 2028 and 2029. Each train will have a maximum capacity of 475 passengers and will be able to operate at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. The BEMU design allows emission-free operations on non-electrified parts of the Wellington network, including the Wairarapa and Manawatu lines.
The contract includes the establishment of a dedicated maintenance facility in Masterton, New Zealand. This site will be operated by Alstom and will incorporate predictive maintenance technologies, a connected driver advisory system, and HealthHub condition-based monitoring.
The Tūhono trains will feature facilities for wheelchair users, bicycles, luggage, and prams, as well as onboard toilets, vending machines, and water dispensers. Their livery will incorporate Māori cultural elements, designed by Indigenous Design and Innovation.
Alstom has previously supplied 60 BEMU trains to operators in Germany and Ireland since 2020. The company has also retrofitted diesel and electric fleets with battery-electric technology.
Alstom is a multinational company specialising in rail transport systems, including rolling stock, signalling, and services. Its Savli site in Gujarat serves as a key manufacturing hub for both domestic and export markets.
