This cost was partially offset by a trade agreement involving the Hungarian Government buying New Zealand farm products, chiefly lamb and butter.

The Chief Engineer of NZRC insisted on proven, reliable traction and braking systems being fitted to the new trains.

They have also seen service beyond the electrification, being used behind diesel locomotives as carriages to carry people to the annual Toast Martinborough wine festival in the Wairarapa.

While tunnel and platform clearances were improved in 2009, it was not envisaged that the units would be used on the line;[11] due to their limited braking power on the steep grades.

[12] Two units have visited Johnsonville on test trains; on 14 June 1992 EM1004 and its trailer ET3004 was towed behind shunting locomotive DSC2285 to measure clearances at platforms and tunnels.

Less than a minute later it was struck by southbound unit EM 1223 and ET 3223, which did not derail, but the collision caused extensive damage to both cabs.

It was the rear car in a two-unit consist operating the 07:43 Porirua to Wellington service, subsequently stranding thousands of morning peak commuters across the network as it blocked both the Kapiti and Hutt Valley lines.

All units were temporarily withdrawn after the derailment for urgent safety inspections, but most were back in service for morning peak the next day.

[17] Other incidents involving EM units include: In 1995 a major refurbishment programme of the class began, with the EMUs repainted in the then standard Tranz Rail Cato light blue and yellow livery with new seats and brighter interiors.

[22] EM 1373 and ET 3373 were fully refurbished to ascertain unit costs and gauge public opinion, including repainting into the new Metlink livery.

A decision to refurbish others in the fleet was made on 10 March 2011 as part of an $88 million rail upgrade package, instead of purchasing more Matangi.

[28] Seventeen units were shipped to South Africa in February 2014 aboard the MV Pangani where they will be converted into (unpowered) carriages for operation in Tanzania and Zimbabwe.