KiwiRail’s TranzCoastal resumes this month with new identity

Listen to this article

When KiwiRail’s Tranz Scenic passenger service between Christchurch and Picton resumes on 15 August, it will run under a new name – Coastal Pacific, the name the train was given in the early stages of its inception.

Coastal Pacific is the name the train was known as from late 1980s until ‘TranzRail’ rebranded the name to TranzCoastal in 1997 to fit their own corporate identity.

“The intention of the name change is to give the Coastal service a lift and an identity of its own, so it can come out of the shadow of the better known TranzAlpine service,” says KiwiRail’s Chief Executive Jim Quinn.

Mr Quinn says that while the decision to suspend the service following the Christchurch earthquake for almost six months was a difficult one, it minimised financial losses during the low season.

He says KiwiRail has always been focused on resuming the service on 15 August, as promised.

“We know this rail journey is well regarded internationally and is a tourist attraction, and we have always wanted to provide confidence for our staff and the public and be part of the upswing in passenger numbers for the summer period and for Rugby World Cup.”

The new identity won’t be the only injection of life the service will receive, with the new AK purpose built scenic carriages being introduced on the line later this year.

KiwiRail’s Hillside Workshop is busy completing the new carriages, which feature 52 square metres of glass in panoramic side and roof windows, ceiling mounted HD screens, GPS triggered commentary in a choice of five languages, and new café cars.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Rail News

ORR review leads to 50% reduction in maximum fees for ticket refunds

New rules will mean that from 2 April the maximum fee that train operators and ticket retailers can charge...

More like this...