Overlander bounces back from near closure
1:00PM Wednesday April 04, 2007
After an 11th-hour reprieve in September last year, the Overlander Auckland-Wellington rail service has had a busy summer, says Tranz Scenic.
Marketing manager Graeme Mowday said after the Easter school holidays the service would return to its winter timetable, running only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Auckland-to-Wellington service was threatened with closure last year over falling passenger numbers.
Rail operator Toll had said the 100-year-old service was no longer economically viable, and threatened to can it entirely, after being turned down for a government subsidy.
When all looked lost, Toll changed its mind and announced it would continue the service for three days a week, and daily over summer.
Soon after, Toll refurbished the trains, painting and rebranding the outside and refitting the interior with new seat fabric, carpets, headrests and curtains.
Mr Mowday said high levels of support from the public meant the Overlander had had a successful summer season.
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