After more than 30 years of planning, Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) will commence work on a tram extension which will link their two locations, MOTAT 1 and MOTAT 2. To mark the occasion today, Prime Minister Helen Clark took part in a ground breaking ceremony at the MOTAT 2 Aviation site in Western Springs, Auckland.

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Prime Minister Helen Clark at the historic ground breaking of MOTAT’s $1.8 million tramline extension.

“First visualised in the 1970s I am pleased to announce that work can now commence due to the generous support of the Auckland region’s city and district councils and a number of charities and private trusts,” said Jeremy Hubbard, MOTAT Director. “It was an honour to have the Prime Minister here today to make this great announcement paving the way for future developments at MOTAT.”

According to MOTAT’s Deputy Chair, Paul Bayly, the entire project will cost $1.8 million. “MOTAT is embarking on a development plan which will see significant improvements to the museum. The tramline extension is the first of these major new initiatives under our Museum Masterplan,” said Mr Bayly.

Once completed in early 2007, the tram extension will allow visitors to move between MOTAT’s two sites, parking areas and attractions in a safe and easy way. The tram currently departs from outside the museum in Great North Road and visitors roll past Western Springs Park to Auckland Zoo.

The 600 metre extension will continue from the Zoo past the Theatre and Performing Arts Centre, Western Springs College and terminate at MOTAT 2 Aviation site. The two kilometre ride will take 15 minutes one way and is included in the museums’ ticket price. Visitors can experience the ride in either direction.

MOTAT has 22 trams in its collection of which eight are in working order. This collection represents over 100 years of urban transport in New Zealand and Australia. MOTAT’s tramline is one of only four still in existence in New Zealand and gives visitors a taste of the prevalent public transport system that operated in Auckland in the l early 20th century.

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MOTAT: All inclusive admission is $14 Adults, $7 Children and Seniors, Under 5’s free. A family pass is $30 and Annual Family Passes is $65. Additional programmes and special exhibitions are free to MOTAT Annual Pass Holders.

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