Hutt Valley Line Interpeak Closures
Monday 4 August 2025 - Thursday 27 November 2025
From 4 August to 27 November, the following train lines will be fully or partially replaced by buses during selected inter and off-peak periods.
While these closures are scheduled for interpeak periods, additional planned and unplanned train replacement services may also occur during peak times. Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check for service updates regularly.
To view other planned closures and train replacement services please see the pages below:
During unplanned disruptions, bus service information will be included in the service alert.(external link)
What's happening?
From 4 August to 27 November, selected interpeak services on the Hutt Valley Line (HVL) will be fully closed to allow KiwiRail to carry out essential infrastructure upgrades. This work includes replacing aging infrastructure that have reached the end of their service life and preparing the line for further improvements during the summer shutdown.
These works will also affect services on the Melling Line (MEL) and Wairarapa Line (WRL), as both rely on shared sections of the Hutt Valley Line. Some train services on these lines may be replaced by buses during the closures.
In the 2025 Budget, KiwiRail was allocated $143.6 million to address long-overdue upgrades across the Wellington and Auckland metro rail networks. Some of the funding will be invested in Wellington over the next two years to improve the reliability and safety of the network after decades of underinvestment.
The Hutt Valley Line has been prioritised for rerailing, a critical step in strengthening the network’s resilience—especially ahead of the Melling Station closure planned for this summer.
Wairarapa Line
The Wairarapa Line will be partially closed between Wellington Station and Upper Hutt from 9:30am to 2:30pm, Monday to Thursday, on selected weeks.
Alternative travel options
We understand that buses replacing train services can be inconvenient. Metlink’s public transport network offers a range of travel options. Discover alternative routes available during service disruptions on the map below (click to expand).
Timetables:
81 Eastbourne - Petone - Wellington
83 Eastbourne - Lower Hutt - Petone - Wellington
84 Eastbourne - Gracefield - Petone - Wellington
110 Emerald Hill - Upper Hutt - Lower Hutt - Petone
120 Stokes Valley - Taita - Epuni - Lower Hutt
121 Stokes Valley Heights - Naenae - Lower Hutt - Seaview
150 Kelson - Lower Hutt - Maungaraki - Petone
154 Petone - Korokoro - Petone
What’s happening?
From 4 August to 30 November, KiwiRail is planning to carry out essential infrastructure upgrades on the Hutt Valley Line (HVL). During these works, selected interpeak and off-peak train services will be replaced by buses on the Hutt Valley, Melling and Wairarapa Line.
Interpeak services are timed between 9:30am – 2:30pm and these closures will happen between Monday – Thursday on select weeks.
When are these rail line closures happening?
The interpeak closures will begin on Monday, 4 August, and run Monday to Thursday, from 9:30am to 2:30pm, on selected weeks through to 30 November.
During these times:
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The Hutt Valley Line and Melling Line will be fully replaced by buses.
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The Wairarapa Line will be partially replaced, with buses operating between Wellington Station and Upper Hutt. Trains will continue to run between Upper Hutt and Masterton.
In addition, weekend works are planned during this period, which will also affect Hutt Valley and Wairarapa Line services.
Why is the interpeak closure going on for so long?
We understand that these 4 months' worth of closures causes a big disruption to our customers. Daytime work has been scheduled to reduce noise, and completing the work in these concentrated stages is essential to fully utilise the funding within the allocated timeframe of two financial years.
Which fares apply during this time?
Off peak fares apply for all interpeak and off-peak buses replacing train services. This includes Wairarapa Line passengers.
Which fares apply for SuperGold customers?
SuperGold customers can travel for free all day on weekends and public holidays.
On non-public holiday days and normal working days, SuperGold customers can travel free between 9am and 3pm and after 6.30pm
Where can I get more information?
For more information on how buses replacing train services work, click here.(external link)
To learn more about the important ongoing rail network upgrades, check out our current projects here.(external link)
Want to know why Melling Station is closing? We’re working in partnership with Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Hutt City Council, and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on this important project. Learn more about the work here.(external link)
The Wairarapa Line will be partially closed between Wellington Station and Upper Hutt from 9:30am to 2:30pm, Monday to Thursday, on selected weeks. During these times, buses replacing trains will operate between Wellington Station and Upper Hutt. Train services will continue to run between Masterton and Upper Hutt as scheduled.
Where can I get on the buses replacing trains at Wellington Station?
All buses replacing train services will arrive and depart from Platform 10 at Wellington Railway Station
Where can I get on the buses replacing trains at Upper Hutt?
Wairarapa bus replacements will arrive and depart from Upper Hutt station’s Bus Stop B.
Do I need to pay for the buses replacing trains service if I'm a Wairarapa Line passenger?
For all the planned interpeak train replacement services and select weekend train replacements all Wairarapa Line customers will be expected to pay the standard off peak fare.
The fare relief only applies to services affected by staff shortages; these services are listed below:
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3.38pm service departing Masterton,
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6:18pm service departing Wellington,
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8.14pm service departing Masterton (Friday only),
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10.25pm service departing Wellington (Friday only).
Why aren’t these train replacement services included in the fare relief?
The current fare relief only applies to services affected by the shortage of qualified train managers. Since the train replacements are due to planned infrastructure upgrades, not staffing shortages, so they are not covered under the fare relief scheme.
Fare relief will remain in place until September 2025, when Transdev is expected to have a full roster of train managers. Learn more about the fare relief here.(external link)
Buses will replace trains on the Hutt Valley Line between Wellington Station and Upper Hutt from 9:30am to 2:30pm, Monday to Thursday, on selected weeks.
Where can I get on the buses replacing trains at Wellington Station?
All buses replacing trains services will arrive and depart from Platform 10 at Wellington Railway Station
Where can I get on the buses replacing trains at Upper Hutt?
Upper Hutt to Wellington buses replacing train services will arrive and depart from Upper Hutt station - Stop A.
Buses will replace trains on the Melling Line between Wellington Station and Melling from 9:30am to 2:30pm, Monday to Thursday, on selected weeks.
Where can I get on buses replacing trains at Wellington Station?
All buses replacing train services will arrive and depart from Platform 10 at Wellington Railway Station
Where can I get on the bus replacement at Melling Station?
All buses replacing train services will arrive and depart from Bus Stop 9150 on Pharazyn St.
Click here(external link) to view the stop location on our map.