Travelling on our Gold Cards

Thanks to our “Gold Cards” and the generosity of our government, pensioners like us can travel free on local bus and train services during non peak hours on weekdays, and all hours over the weekend.  We enjoyed a day out in the big smoke today and boarded one of the new “Matangi” trains.  This fleet of new 48 two-car electric trains was built in Korea for Greater Wellington Regional Council.  The Units have roomy sleek stainless steel bodies, plenty of room for wheel-chairs, buggies and bicycles, air-conditioned cooling and heating,  doors operating on demand,  open movement between a two-car unit, hearing loops in all cars,  a public address system, and information systems with automated visual and audio next station information. 

Interior of the new trains

Our train trip coincided with the school holidays and the carriages filled up rapidly with kids, parents and grand-parents as the trip continued.  Once past Petone we travelled alongside the Wellington harbour and watched an Inter-Islander ferry coming in to the terminal.  We imagined that it was filled with South Island families enjoying the start of their North Island holiday.

Inter-Islander Ferry coming into Wellington harbour

The new trains deliver a very smooth and comfortable ride, and before we knew, we had arrived at the bustling Wellington Station.  I had to wait until all the passengers moved on so that I could get a photo of the new sleek and shiny Matangi train we had just travelled in.

Matangi train at Wellington Station

Walking around the waterfront we came across a new sign – “Electric Car Charging Station”.  This was right outside the Meridian (Electricity Company) building, and sure enough, a dinky little new fangled electric car was plugged in and being recharged.  Now that’s something we have never seen before!

Recharging the electric car

The delicious smell of roasting coffee beans tickled my nose further along the waterfront as we walked past the Mojo Coffee Roastery.  Mmmm, it’s a shame they were not giving sample coffees away to the people passing by.

A whole lot of coffee beans

With our business attended to, and a leisurely lunch it was time to leave the bright lights of the city behind us and head back home.  We boarded one of those big orange buses, the Airport Flyer, which conveniently travels all the way back to our home town.  Robin used to drive these buses during his stint as a bus driver, and rather enjoyed chatting away to the airport passengers.  We had a good day out, travelling on our Gold Cards.

Home via the Airport Flyer