Electric multiple unit trains are operated as part of the Metlink network to and from Wellington.

It remained a through station following government purchase of the line and its incorporation into the North Island Main Trunk Railway, for freight until 1935 and passengers until 19 June 1937, when the Tawa Flat deviation was opened to all traffic and the old line between Johnsonville and Tawa was closed.

While part of the NIMT, goods trains from Wellington often required a banking engine (e.g. "Jumbo"; NZR WJ class) for the steep grades up to Ngaio and Khandallah, and were rearranged at Johnsonville.

Level crossings in Johnsonville Road and from Bill Cutting Place to Frankmoore Avenue were closed.

An island platform with a new station replacing the original WMR building in 1915, and a signal box plus two pedestrian overbridges spanning the yard and connecting to Wanaka Street were built.

A porter-shunter at Johnonville was accidentally killed in March 1940 when he apparently stepped into the path of a train being shunted by an Ed locomotive.

[3] Significant sources of goods traffic through this station included livestock from the Manawatu for the abattoir at Ngauranga and timber.

[4] Trains depart at half-hourly intervals for Wellington, decreasing to quarter-hourly during peak times on week days.