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Refurbished carriages for Wairarapa train services, announced today, herald the biggest improvement to rail services for Wairarapa in many years, says MP Georgina Beyer.
She predicts that the number of commuters travelling to and from Wellington could rise markedly once the new carriages start in service next year.
 Finance Minister, Dr Michael Cullen today announced $10.6 million in government funding for new rolling stock for the Wairarapa train services. This will be added to $15.85 million being provided for the project by Transfund.
Ms Beyer says the current carriages belong in another era.
"The carriages were built as World War 2 loomed and began, making them older than most of the commuters they carry."
The MP says they'll be replaced with modern units built around former British rail carriages. A tender is underway for the refurbishment but Ms Beyer says she hopes much of the work will take place at the Hutt rail workshops.
"I expect to see the first of the new carriages in service early next year. I will be raising the question as to whether this will also allow an improvements in the schedule."
The complete replacement of the current 18 carriages is expected to take 18 months.
 The new money for the Wairarapa service comes hot on the heels of the announcement of the $5.4 million upgrade of rolling stock on the shorter Wellington commuter lines.
Ms Beyer says the two rounds of funding underline the Government's commitment to working with regional and local government to improve public transport in Wellington. The Government has also pledged $200m to improve rail infrastructure.
"The next thing I hope to see is work getting underway on the improvement to the rail track between Wellington and Wairarapa. With new carriages and an improved track, you'd have to be off the rails not to commute to Wellington by train."
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