ARTA Media Release
20 June 2008

More Train Services, More Trains For Aucklanders

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and its train operator Veolia Transport today announced that new passenger rail timetables will be in place from Sunday 13 July 2008, giving commuters more frequent services. An additional SA train set will also be added to the network.

Auckland Regional Transport Authority General Manager, Customer Services, Mark Lambert says, “Rail patronage continues to trend strongly upwards in Auckland, with year end figures (to 30 June) expected to show an increase of around 18%. The additional train services we are adding are a direct response to customer demand for rail travel.

“The frequency of many services will increase, particularly on the Western Line, where seating capacity for weekday services will increase by approximately 18%. Between Monday and Friday, we will now have 48 Western Line services from Swanson to Britomart (compared to 28 in the current timetable), with an additional two services on Fridays. Outbound, there will be 44 services to Swanson from Monday to Friday (compared to 27 in the current timetable), with three additional services on Friday.

“On the Southern Line, Pukekohe residents and those travelling to Middlemore Hospital will also benefit from more choice, with a significant increase in morning and evening peak services.”

Key service improvements include:
• An increase in seating capacity on the Western Line of approximately 18% for weekday services
• Four trains per hour during the morning and afternoon peak (Monday to Friday) between Britomart and Swanson on the Western Line
• The introduction of a more regular, easy to understand timetable on the Western Line
• The introduction of a twelve-month trial service from Helensville (begins 14 July)
• All inbound Western Line services during the week now start at either Helensville, Waitakere or Swanson
• Saturday train services between Waitakere and Henderson on the Western Line will resume
• New platforms and station facilities at Helensville, Waimauku, Huapai, Swanson, Ranui and Sturges Rd
• A 50% increase in morning peak services from Pukekohe (from four to six services) and doubling of train services to Pukekohe during the evening peak (from four to eight services)
• Changes to the timings and stopping patterns of express and limited stop services.
• Changes to weekday and weekend times of all services
• The introduction into the fleet of an additional SA train set, with two more additional SA train sets and four additional carriages (to increase the last four remaining three-car SA trains sets currently in use to four-car train sets) due to arrive in spring.

The new timetables will also coincide with the introduction of a new flexi-monthly rail pass. These passes will replace the existing (calendar month) rail passes*, and are valid for a month from the first day of use. The new monthly tickets can be purchased on any day of the month, and can be used straight away.

Mr Lambert says, “The new flexi-month passes have been introduced in response to requests from our commuters. Once the new timetables come into effect the times of most trains will change albeit slightly so we advise our customers to check the new timetables or contact MAXX before travelling.”

The new train timetables are available on the MAXX website, www.maxx.co.nz, and hard copies will be available from ticket agents, and Britomart and Papakura stations from Monday 23 June.

For more information about the new rail timetable or about train services in Auckland call MAXX on (09) 366 6400 or visit www.maxx.co.nz

The new timetables were developed by Veolia Transport Auckland under guidance from ARTA.

Key safety messages – two tracks mean two trains:
• Keep away from the tracks. Remember trains can run at any time, seven days a week
• Two tracks means two trains – always look both ways
• Do not cross unless you can see clearly in both directions
• Use only marked footpaths and crossings
• The new timetable means that more trains will travel at different times on two tracks
• Trains are unable to stop easily and they cannot swerve
• Stand behind the yellow lines on the station platform. Trains travel at speed and express trains do not stop or slow down when travelling through stations
• At level crossings when one train has passed, do not cross tracks until the alarms finish operating – there may be a second train approaching
• With more trains running on two tracks, seven days a week at different times, extra care will be needed at stations, level and pedestrian crossings, and areas near the rail corridor.

*Note: This does not apply to the Monthly Discovery Pass which remains valid for a calendar month.

ENDS

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