PARIS: Alstom has secured a €538 million (NZD$1.065 billion) contract from the Greater Wellington Regional Council to supply 18 battery-electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains and provide 35 years of fleet maintenance, marking the debut of zero-emission commuter rail in New Zealand.
The 5-car Adessia Stream B trains, manufactured at Alstom’s Savli facility in India, will replace aging diesel locomotives on the Wairarapa and Manawatu lines. The new fleet—named “Tūhono,” meaning “to connect” in te reo Māori—will begin operations in 2028 and 2029, offering emission-free travel on non-electrified segments of the Wellington rail network.
“This project will unlock a greener transport option for the people of Wellington,” said Pascal Dupond, Managing Director of Alstom Australia and New Zealand. “We’re proud to bring our trains and maintenance expertise to New Zealand for the first time.”
The contract includes the construction of a purpose-built maintenance facility in Masterton, equipped with Alstom’s HealthHub predictive maintenance technologies and a connected driver advisory system. The onboard battery system will enable clean operations through the 9km Remutaka Tunnel, a key corridor in the network.
Ling Fang, Alstom’s Asia-Pacific President, said the deal reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility. “This marks our first deployment of zero-emissions rail technology in the Asia-Pacific region,” Fang said.
Each train will carry up to 475 passengers and feature amenities such as wheelchair access, bike and luggage storage, toilets, vending machines, and water dispensers. The livery, designed by Indigenous Design and Innovation, will incorporate Māori cultural elements to reflect Aotearoa New Zealand’s heritage.
Alstom has sold 60 BEMU trains globally since 2020, including orders in Germany and Ireland, and continues to convert legacy fleets to battery-electric systems.