23 January 2012

Auckland Transport advises travel options for Anniversary Weekend

More buses will operate in central Auckland on Anniversary Day and trains will run more frequently on some of the rail network throughout the weekend.

However other parts of the rail network will be closed to enable Kiwirail to carry out essential maintenance and upgrade work.

Train

Additional trains will operate on the Western, Onehunga and Southern lines (north of Otahuhu). They will run about every half hour between approximately 10am and 6pm. At other times the normal weekend timetable will be in place.

Buses will replace trains on the following lines during Anniversary Weekend to allow Kiwirail to carry out important work for electrification:

Eastern Line - Papakura to Britomart via Glen Innes.
Southern Line - Papakura to Otahuhu.

For details on rail bus services, which will operate about every 30 minutes between 10am and 6pm and to a normal weekend timetable at other times, go to www.maxx.co.nz.

Bus

Bus services will run to regular weekend and public holiday timetables. On Monday LINK services will be enhanced; City LINK services will operate every 8 minutes between 6.30am – 11.30pm. The Inner and Outer LINK services will operate every 15 minutes between 6.30am – 11.00pm.

Ferry

Ferry services will operate to a Sunday/public holiday timetable on Monday 30 January; however an additional Devonport service will depart from the Downtown Ferry Terminal at 11.30pm on Monday 30 January.

For full details and timetables go to www.maxx.co.nz.

Auckland Transport Public Transport Operations Manager Mark Lambert says NZTA, Kiwirail, Auckland Transport and Veolia have been working closely together to ensure timing for major work on the rail network didn’t clash with the Newmarket Viaduct switch.

Some work to prepare for electrification will instead be carried out during Waitangi Weekend, he says.

However he does advise people travelling this weekend to plan ahead, as roads and public transport will be very busy.

The NZTA welcomes Auckland Transport and KiwiRail’s decision to defer some critical electrification work to keep the Southern Line north of Otahuhu open while a section of the Southern Motorway (SH1) is closed ahead of opening the new northbound viaduct at Newmarket.

“Our motorway closure will cause heavy congestion and we appreciate the support from Auckland Transport and KiwiRail to help keep the city moving,” says the NZTA’s acting State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland Steve Mutton. “Sweeping changes are being made to Auckland’s transport network and close co-operation at this level will help keep any disruption to travellers to a minimum.”

“Veolia is pleased to be able to reduce inconvenience to travellers by running additional trains on the lines that will remain open on Anniversary Weekend and help customers get about the city” says Veolia’s Managing Director, Graham Sibery.

“We would also like to thank our customers for the patience they showed during the Christmas rail upgrade works.”

About Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council. It is responsible for all of the region’s transport services (excluding state highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport.

Among its main tasks are:

• To design, build and maintain Auckland’s roads, ferry wharves, cycleways and walkways.
• Co-ordinate road safety and community transport initiatives such as school travel
• Plan and fund bus, train and ferry services across Auckland.

For more information go to www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz.

ENDS

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