 While all other regional passenger trains in New Zealand have been withdrawn (apart from the Capital Connection commuter service to Palmerston North), the Wairarapa Connection service continues due to the Wairarapa's proximity to Wellington and the advantage of the 8.8 km Rimutaka Tunnel through the Rimutaka Ranges compared to the narrow and winding Rimutaka Hill Road over them.In the year to 30 June 2013, the service's ridership was 705,000, down slightly from 719,000 in the 2011/12-year.Before the Wairarapa Connection, 88 seater railcars were used between Masterton and Wellington.