Metlink advises commuters to look at alternative arrangements due to rail strike on Friday

Wellington rail commuters are being advised to make other travel arrangements on Friday 1 December due to a strike by members of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union.

The union informed their employer Transdev on Wednesday afternoon that its members will strike between 2am and 11.59pm Friday 1 December. No Metlink trains will run in the Wellington region during this time. Rail services will resume from 5am Saturday.

Cr Barbara Donaldson, Chair of Greater Wellington‘s Sustainable Transport Committee says: “Greater Wellington has been working on behalf of our customers and ratepayers to bring the parties together to encourage them to keep talking. It’s disappointing that Transdev and the union have been unable to agree a way forward at this stage, meaning Metlink customers will be inconvenienced.

“We are sorry for the disruption this will cause to Metlink customers’ travel plans. Bus services will operate as usual but there may be increased demand for seats and roads could be busier than usual. It is not possible to have buses replace the 30,000 daily journeys usually made on Metlink trains.

“Our advice is the same as for the action two weeks ago – avoid travel where you can. But if you usually go by train and have to travel on Friday, plan your journey, make alternative arrangements and allow extra time to get where you want to go.

“We also advise travellers to keep an eye on the www.metlink.org.nz website for the latest updates on public transport services. Road information is available from the NZTA website.”

Full services will resume from 5am on Saturday 2 December.
ENDS

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