Auckland Regional Transport Authority
August 11th, 2006
Changes to Southern Rail Services this Sunday

Train services will be replaced by buses this Sunday 13 August between Papatoetoe and Papakura as major track maintenance and improvement works are carried out on the Southern Line.

Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) General Manager Infrastructure and Rail Elena Trout said that between 8.13 am and 6pm on Sunday 13 August, regular train services between Papatoetoe and Papakura stations will be serviced by buses to allow maintenance and improvement work to take place.

Passengers travelling to and from Puhinui station to Britomart will not be affected. Passengers travelling south from Puhinui to Papakura or from Papakura to Puhinui will be required to use buses departing from the various rail stations.

“While we will be transporting passengers efficiently to and from their target destinations, bus departure and arrival times will differ from scheduled train times. Bus departure times from Papakura to Papatoetoe are earlier than normal train services, and arrival times from Papatoetoe to Papakura later,” Ms Trout said.

“Commuters are advised to check timetables carefully and allow more time for their journey. We’ll be working hard to ensure that disruptions to passengers’ journeys this Sunday are minimal.

“The replacement buses will be clearly marked ‘RAIL BUS’ and train staff will be on hand to help passengers transferring from trains to the replacement buses.

“Where buses replace trains, the normal fare will apply for the entire journey.”

The maintenance and upgrade works on the Southern Line is part of an ongoing upgrade of Auckland’s rail network. ARTA works closely with the track owners ONTRACK and train operator Veolia Transport Auckland Ltd to ensure construction activities minimise any effects on passenger services.

“We understand that the work will cause disruptions to passengers on Sunday, but the works are important in order to maintain and improve the Southern Line. The support and understanding of Southern Line passengers is greatly appreciated,” Ms Trout said.

Other improvements in ARTA’s Auckland rail upgrade project include an expanded fleet of refurbished trains, station upgrades and improved passenger information.

Southern Line train passengers planning to travel on Sunday August 13 can get more information from MAXX on (09) 366 6400, visit www.MAXX.co.nz or look out for posters on trains and at affected stations around the rail network.

For further information contact: Sharon Hunter, Communications Manager, Auckland Regional Transport Authority, Tel: (09) 379 4422 (x9074); Mobile; 021 545 230

ARTA is responsible for the integrated planning, funding and implementation of all modes of public transport throughout the Auckland region.

ARTA is part of the Auckland Regional Council’s family of organisations.

www.arta.govt.nz

ENDS

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