Alstom has been awarded a €538 million contract by the Greater Wellington Regional Council for the design, manufacture and supply of 18 Adessia Stream B battery-electric multiple unit trains and 35 years of FlexCare Perform fleet maintenance. The contract, worth NZD$1,065 million, represents the first battery-electric commuter trains ordered in New Zealand and forms part of the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility program.
The five-car trains will replace the current diesel locomotive-hauled fleet due for retirement in 2028 and 2029, enabling zero direct carbon emission operations on non-electrified segments of the Wellington rail network, specifically the Wairarapa and Manawatu lines. Manufactured at Alstom’s Savli facility in India, the trains will operate through sections of the 9km Remutaka Tunnel, a critical network corridor, using intelligent train control with onboard battery technology for emission-free operation.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with the New Zealand government, through Ministry of Transport, New Zealand Transport Agency, Greater Wellington and Horizon’s Regional Councils, alongside Transdev and KiwiRail, to bring Alstom trains and maintenance expertise to New Zealand for the first time,” said Pascal Dupond, Managing Director of Alstom Australia and New Zealand. “As the world’s largest end-to-end rail provider, with unparalleled delivery experience, this project will unlock a greener transport option for the people of Wellington.”
Ling Fang, Region President Asia-Pacific, added that the achievement demonstrates Alstom’s commitment to advancing sustainable mobility and empowering customers transitioning to green technologies. The contract brings Alstom’s zero-emissions rail technology to the Asia-Pacific region for the first time.
The trains, named ‘Tūhono’ meaning “to connect” or “to unite,” will carry a maximum of 475 passengers per train and operate at speeds up to 120kph. Based on Alstom’s globally proven Adessia commuter trains platform, they will be adapted to meet Wellington’s distinct operating environment requirements. The comfort-centric passenger experience will feature wheelchair, bike, luggage and pram amenities onboard with toilet, vending machine and water dispenser facilities.
The train livery will incorporate Te ao Māori and cultural elements relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand. These designs will be led by Māori design agency Indigenous Design and Innovation to ensure deep cultural resonance and lasting community legacy. The train design will also incorporate input from local community engagements.
Alstom will operate a maintenance facility purpose-built by Greater Wellington Regional Council in Masterton, equipped with the latest technologies for fleet maintenance and battery servicing to ensure the highest availability and reliability. Several Alstom technologies will be deployed to New Zealand for the first time to support maintenance and operation of the new trains, including state-of-the-art HealthHub condition-based and predictive maintenance technologies and a connected driver advisory system.
Alstom’s success in battery-electric multiple unit technology continues to gain momentum, with 60 trains sold for commuter and regional networks since 2020. This latest contract builds on previous orders, including 11 battery-electric trains for VMS in Germany and 31 for Irish Rail in Ireland. Alstom has also played a leading role in modernising existing fleets with battery-electric technology, converting diesel-electric and electric trains into battery-electric multiple units.
