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Development into Auckland's transport system has taken
a new turn with the unveiling of the first electric train in NZ.
It's a huge milestone in the Govt's $1.6million programme
to improve Auckland's central rail line.
Holding his grandson, Luca,
the Auckland Mayor is looking toward the future.
This is the first of the new fleet of electric trains to be introduced
over the next two years.
At 3.4kms long, a single train can fit 375 passengers at one time.
That's an increase of about 40%.
These new trains are much wider than the old diesel trains.
They've been designed with the comfort and safety
of Aucklanders in mind and with the latest technology.
It's very good.
Plenty of space.
Auckland Transport's Central Rail Line plan
has already been mapped out
and it's estimated to cost more than $2.8 billion.
That dream is expected to come to fruition by 2021.
That's the main thing, safety on these trains.
That's the main thing to Maori.
The first passenger service is planned to commence
on the Onehunga Line in April, 2014.
Oriini Tipene-Leach, Te Karere.