Travel early for semi finals

Auckland Transport Media Release

14 October 2011

Travel early for semi finals

Fans heading to Eden Park for the Rugby World Cup 2011 semi-finals this weekend are advised to travel early as public transport and roads will be very busy.

Kick-off for both matches is at 9pm and gates open at 6.30pm.

A range of transport options are available this weekend.

However people using public transport who are not going to the knock out matches are reminded there will be a number of changes to regular services. This includes bus stop relocations in the Britomart precinct, changes to Britomart entrances, smaller trains for some non-event services and buses replacing some trains, especially on the Western Line.

Road closures and parking restrictions in the Eden Park area will be in place from 6pm. Road closures will also again be in place on part of Quay St and surrounding streets.

An increase in people travelling to matches by coach, rail, special event buses and taxi is expected.

Other transport options for the semi-finals include parking in streets outside the Eden Park restricted zone then walking, or walking the Fan Trail from Auckland's CBD. People driving are advised to carpool. To find someone to carpool with go to www.rideshare.co.nz.

From 5pm special event buses from outside Britomart are free with a match ticket. From 6pm free travel with a match ticket begins on trains and special events buses from outside the Civic on Queen St in Auckland CBD, Albany Station via all Northern Busway Stations, Takapuna, Newmarket/Mt Eden and Manukau/Botany/Pakuranga.

After the match trains leave every 5-7 minutes from Kingsland to the CBD, stopping only at Grafton and Britomart, until just after midnight. For fans staying longer in Kingsland, trains to the CBD then leave at 12.39am, 1.09am and 1.39am. Trains out of the CBD also run later into the night, go to www.maxx.co.nz for full details.

Special event buses are free with a match ticket until crowds have cleared after the matches. Some other buses, including the Northern Express, Inner and Outer LINKs, will be running later. The NiteRider buses from the CBD will be available between 1am and 3.40am. A fare applies on services that aren't special event buses. For full details go to www.maxx.co.nz.

Transport to Eden Park:

Driving:

* Parking restrictions and road closures will be in place around Eden Park and public parking will be outside the residential parking zones. If you are dropping people off at the event, the main drop off point is on Dominion Rd. Parking on streets outside the residential parking zones will involve a short walk to the stadium.People planning to drive are advised to carpool.

* A limited number of accessible parking spaces will be provided in Bellwood Road (between Cromwell Street and Dominion Road), an orange mobility sticker is required for access. A shuttle service will operate between this point and the venue.

Walking: Following the Fan Trail from Auckland's waterfront is a great way to get to the match, more information at www.auckland2011.com.

Taxi:

* Taxi drop off points are on Bond St and Dominion Rd pre match and after the match taxi ranks are on Dominion Rd and New North Rd

* A mobility taxi rank is located in Bellwood Avenue near Cromwell Street for mobility drop off / pick up. A shuttle operates to and from the stadium. People being picked up need to make sure the vehicle is in place before the end of the match to avoid the road closures.

Special event buses:

* To Eden Park from Britomart and the Civic Theatre on Queen St every 5 minutes, last bus at 8.30pm. Albany every 10 minutes via all Northern Busway Stations, last bus at 7.30pm. Takapuna from Hurstmere Rd every 15 minutes, last bus at 7.30pm. Newmarket and Mt Eden every 10 minutes, last bus at 8.10pm. Every 30 minutes from Manukau city centre (last bus 7.30pm) via Botany Town Centre (last bus 7.45pm) and Pakuranga Plaza (last bus 8pm) .

* Special event buses leave after the match to Auckland CBD (Britomart and midtown Queen St) from New North Rd, to Albany and other Northern Busway stations, Takapuna, Mt Eden/Newmarket, Manukau/Botany/Pakuranga from the Eden Park bus hub until crowds have cleared.

* Free shuttle bus from Whangaparaoa Plaza via Silverdale to Albany Bus Station (5.30 & 6pm) to connect with the Albany special event bus. Shuttles after the match depart Albany Bus Station at 12am and 12.30am.

* Special event buses are accessible for the mobility impaired.

Trains:

* Approximately every 5-7 minutes between Britomart and Kingsland (between 6.05pm - 8.14pm and after the match), stopping only at Grafton Station on the way. After the match Kingsland trains return to the CBD every 5-7 minutes until 12.12am, then at 12.39am, 1.09am and 1.39am.

* Three additional direct services from Papakura to the match, calling all stations to Newmarket, then Grafton and direct to Kingsland

* Trains from the west run to Morningside approx. every 15 minutes in the lead up to matches and every 10 to 15 minutes after matches

* Train services are accessible for the mobility impaired, a free mobility shuttle operates between Morningside Station and Eden Park

* From 5pm there will be changes to entrances at Britomart please follow the directions of Auckland Transport Ambassadors.

ends

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