Power cut disrupts commuters

Commuter trains on the Kapiti Coast were disrupted today by problems with the power supply.

Electra chief executive John Yeoman said there was an explosion at a substation at Raumati and power was cut to Paekakariki and Raumati from around 4am.

It was restored to all areas by 6.50am.

He said an insulator failed and it may have been due to a build up of salt on the item in the recent windy weather.

Tranz Metro spokeswoman Lisa Gibbison said buses were replacing trains between Paraparaumu and Plimmerton and it was believed that there had also been a problem with a cut cable.

Ontrack spokesman Kevin Ramshaw said power to the overhead network could be sourced from elsewhere but there was still a problem with signals.

Some signals had to be hand wound by train drivers.

Electra operates power lines from Paekakariki to Foxton and Tokomaru. The company is owned by a trust and has about 37,500 customers.

- NZPA