Coastal Pacific
The Coastal Pacific is a long-distance passenger train that runs between Picton and Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. It is operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of KiwiRail. It was called the TranzCoastal from May 2000 until temporarily withdrawn in February 2011. It was the first train to use the new AK class carriages.
The Coastal Pacific on the Kaikōura Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Service type | Inter-city rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Current | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Upper South Island, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First service | 1988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current operator(s) | Great Journeys New Zealand (2017–present) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former operator(s) | InterCity Rail (1988–1995) Tranz Scenic (1995–2012) KiwiRail Scenic Journeys (2012–2017) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | Christchurch Picton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stops | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance travelled | 348 km (216 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average journey time | 5 hours | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service frequency | Tuesday, Wednesday, October - April | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-board services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class(es) | Scenic Class, Scenic Plus Class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disabled access | Wheelchair hoist in café car | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seating arrangements | Airline-style Alcove with table | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catering facilities | On-board café | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Observation facilities | Large windows in all carriages Open-air viewing carriage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baggage facilities | Overhead shelves Baggage carriage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other facilities | Toilets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rolling stock | DXR locomotives AK class carriages | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 66 km/h (41 mph) average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The service was suspended after 14 November 2016 due to damage to the rail line from the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, but in 2018-19, ran from Saturday 1 December to Sunday 28 April. In November 2018, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced $40 million for KiwiRail from the Provincial Growth Fund, to provide year-round service and to upgrade the Kaikoura, Blenheim and Picton stations.
The service was again suspended on 23 March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Coastal Pacific long distance passenger service was suspended once more in December 2021. There were plans to replace it with a multi-day rail tour. On 12 April 2022 it was announced trains would resume again from 29 September 2022, as same-day services, on Thursdays to Sundays and daily between 2 February and 30 April 2023. It then next runs on 21 September 2023.