The Northerner overnight train from Auckland to Wellington is to be axed. Toll New Zealand said cheap airfares had caused demand for long-distance rail to plummet, and the Northerner would make its last run on November 12.
Tranz Scenic national passenger manager Ross Hayward said demand for the 12-hour trip had been steadily declining since 2001.
The Overlander, the Wellington to Auckland daytime service, would continue, he said. There would be no redundancies from the Northerner as staff would be reassigned to the Overlander. Passengers booked on the Northerner would be offered a refund or a rebooking.
Northerner train axed due to low demand
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