GW/MET-G-10/59 Metlink News

Our new trains
The first of our 48 new Matangi trains is
due to arrive late August. Then trains will
begin arriving regularly from October.
You may see them running along the line
as they get tested thoroughly. Hutt Valley
passengers should expect to have a ride in
the new trains before the end of the year.
As we await their arrival, here are some
answers to commonly asked questions
about the new trains.
Q: Will the new trains look different from
the outside?
A: Yes, they are distinctly different from the English
Electrics. The Matangi trains have a shiny, stainless
steel exterior with a navy blue trim at the top. The
front of the driver’s cab is yellow; the doors of the
low floor area are bright green and clearly marked;
other doors are blue.
Q: What kind of branding will the new trains have?
A: They will have the Metlink and Tranz Metro brands
on the exterior, and Metlink on the interior.
Q: When will the new trains run on my line?
A: The first Matangi trains are expected to begin running
on the Upper Hutt Line before the end of the year,
followed by Johnsonville around March next year.
The new trains will be running on all three lines
by June 2011.
Q: What is a two-car unit?
A: Each train is made up of a motor car and a trailer
car. This is called a two-car unit. Two-car units can
be configured in 2, 4 or 6 car sets. The motor car is the
“power house” of the unit; it carries all the motor and
electrical equipment. The trailer car has no motors but
still carries some equipment and has a driver’s cab.
Q: Are the cars completely separate?
A: No, you’ll be able to walk between both cars of
a two-car unit. As well as creating a more spacious
feel, you’ll be able to move to the next carriage if
your one is full and the other has spare seats. You will
not, however, be able to walk the full length of the
train if there are two or more two-car units connected
to each other.
Q: What kind of flooring will the new trains have?
A: The floor will be lino, not carpet. Lino is easier
to clean, and keep clean.
Q: What kind of sets will the trains be
comprised of?
A: Off-peak trains will run generally as a two car unit,
i.e. a motor car and a trailer car. Peak hour trains will
run as six car sets. The new trains will not be able to
be coupled with Ganz Mavags. They will run as
separate trains.
Q: Why have many of the station platforms needed
to be changed for the new trains?
A: The height and width of station platforms around the
region varies quite considerably. It has not been too
problematic with the current trains but the new trains
are slightly wider so some platforms have had to be
altered, or in some cases, completely rebuilt. The trailer
car of the new trains – each train is made up of a motor
car and a trailer car – has a low floor area. There is no
step up to the inside of this carriage. Because platform
heights are variable, there may still be a gap between
the floor of the car and the platform but boarding for
wheelchairs and buggies will be greatly improved,
compared to access on the existing trains.
Q: What is the low floor area?
A: The low floor area is located between the doors of
the trailer car. There is no step up to the inside of this
area of the car and a ramp built into the floor can be
unfolded by onboard staff for wheelchairs. There are
eight flip up seats in this area so if the space is not
needed for people in wheelchairs or buggies, other
passengers can sit down. The area is spacious, providing
a substantial amount of room for people to stand.
Q: How will the doors work?
A: The doors of each car are operated manually, but are
controlled centrally by the train manager. If you are
the only person getting off, you’ll need to press a
button to open the doors. This means that unless
the doors need to be opened, the air-conditioned
temperatures are not disturbed, making the journey
more comfortable.
Q: What about the windows?
A: The familiar clunk, clunk of windows shutting quickly
as a tunnel looms, will be a distant memory with
the new Matangi trains. All the windows are sealed
because of the air-conditioning and this should also
make the train journey quieter.
Q: Will the new trains be air-conditioned?
A: Yes, the Matangi trains will have air conditioning
which will make them cool in summer and warm in
winter and add to a comfortable train experience.
The manually operated doors, which will open only
when people are getting on or off, will also help
keep the temperature more even.
Q: Why don’t the new trains have a dogbox?
A: The dogbox area takes up valuable passenger space.
Q: Will the new trains carry more passengers?
A: Yes. Currently the Ganz Mavag units, i.e. 2 cars can carry
296 people in all, which includes seated and standing
passengers. The number of seats in the Matangi is
approximately the same but there is substantially more
room for standing passengers.
Q: Are there luggage racks on the new trains?
A: Yes, there are luggage racks in all parts of the train
except the low floor area of the trailer car. There will
also be more storage space underneath the seats
as they are cantilevered, i.e. they don’t have legs
at both ends.
The first new Matangi train in Korea.