Media release

Tuesday 12 December

Special public transport holiday timetables for Auckland

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is encouraging Aucklanders to check out the special public transport holiday timetables before Christmas and plan their journeys carefully between 23 December 2006 and 7 January 2007.

ARTA’s Chief Executive, Fergus Gammie says over the quieter holiday period there will be changes to normal services, “We’re asking everyone who plans to travel by public transport during the holiday period to check out the special holiday timetables. Aucklanders can plan their journeys on line at www.maxx.co.nz or call MAXX on 366 6400 for help.

“Normal timetables for bus, train and ferry resume on Monday 8 January. On this day, train passengers using Fruitvale Road and Glen Eden train stations will catch their train from smart new, relocated platforms developed in partnership between ARTA and ONTRACK as part of the on-going upgrade of the Western Line and the future development of Auckland’s rail network.

Mr Gammie says Aucklanders planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Auckland CBD can catch Special NiteRider buses home between 1 – 3am from the Civic precinct, “Heading out to ten areas around Auckland including Papakura, Blockhouse Bay, Howick and Massey our NiteRider buses offer people a cost-effective way to get home safely on New Year’s Eve.

“We thank Aucklanders in advance for taking the time to find out about changes to public transport services over the holiday period and we hope, as the region’s public transport service and facilities improve, that some will also consider adding using public transport more to their list of New Year’s resolutions.”

ARTA has been working closely with its operators to provide Aucklanders with an appropriate service level during the holiday period, in particular with track provider ONTRACK and our train operator Veolia Transport to minimise the impact of essential track works and maximise construction productivity.

Summary of public transport services from 23 December 2006 to 7 January 2007:

- Buses will run to special holiday timetables everyday
- Some ferry services will run to a normal timetable while others will be suspended on specific days during or throughout the holiday period
- Changes to train timetables will include a full bus replacement service on the Western line between Waitakere and Britomart and on the Southern line between Newmarket and Britomart from 27 – 30 December. This is to allow for double tracking work and major track improvements.

For information on special holiday bus, train or ferry routes, timetables and regional public transport guides visit www.maxx.co.nz, call the MAXX contact centre on (09) 366 6400 (passengers outside the Auckland free calling area can call MAXX on 0800 10 30 80) or go to Britomart’s MAXX information kiosk.

ENDS

www.arta.co.nz

About the timetable changes from Saturday 23 December 2006 to Sunday 7 January 2007:

Buses:
- 23,30 December and 6 January – Saturday timetable
- 24, 25, 26 December and 31, 1, 2, 7 January – Sunday timetable
- 27, 28, 29 December and 3, 4, 5 January – Special holiday timetable
- On Christmas Day all Stagecoach and North Star services are free.

Trains:

- 25 December – no trains on all lines
- 23, 26 December 1, 2, 6 January bus replacement service between Waitakere and New Lynn
- 27 January – 30 January - Western Line closure (with full bus replacement for all stations on the Western line and for Southern line services between Newmarket and Britomart) to allow for double tracking construction and major track improvements
- 3, 4,5 January – Special Holiday timetable with bus replacement service between Waitakere and New Lynn
From Monday 8 January passengers using Fruitvale Road and Glen Eden train stations will need to use a smart new, relocated platform to access trains heading West or towards Britomart.

Ferries:

- Bayswater, Birkenhead, Northcote Point to Auckland CBD
o 25, 26 December and 1,2 January no service
o All other days - Normal timetable
- Devonport and Waiheke Island to Auckland CBD
o All days - Normal timetable
- Gulf Harbour to Auckland CBD
o 25, 26 December and 1,2 January – No service
o 27, 28, 29 December and 3, 4, 5 January – Special holiday timetable
- Half Moon Bay/ Waiheke Island / Auckland CBD
o 25 December – No service
o All other days - Normal timetable
- Pine Harbour, Stanley Bay, West Harbour to Auckland CBD
o 23 December to 7 January - No services
- Pine Harbour to Waiheke Island
o All days - Normal timetable

New Year’s Eve
Bus, train and ferry services will be running to the special holiday timetables detailed above and special NiteRider buses will operate to Friday/Saturday night timetable departing between 1am and 3 am from the Civic precinct.

About construction work on the train network
ONTRACK staff and contractors will be working on duplication of 7.3 km of track between Titirangi Rd and Henderson, as part of Project DART, the $600 million upgrade of Auckland’s rail infrastructure. The Christmas work will include construction of new track and rail bridges, and new platforms at Glen Eden and Fruitvale Road stations. ARTA will then upgrade the platforms with new shelters, lighting, signage and CCTV for passenger use on Monday 8 January 2007.

In addition, major track works will be undertaken between Britomart and Newmarket between Christmas and New Year and major track maintenance will be carried out at other locations on the Western line.

The public is asked to keep out of construction areas and reminded not to enter the rail corridor.

ENDS

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