For Immediate Release

New Train Timetables Offer Quick Connections

Transport lobby group Campaign for Better Transport is applauding new Auckland train timetables that comes into effect next week [Monday 2nd July].

Highlighting improved integration of services between the Western and Southern lines, spokesperson Cameron Pitches said, "For the first time, it is now viable to commute by train between the Western and Southern lines."

Under the old timetable, commuters transferring between the Western and Southern lines had to wait up to 34 minutes at Newmarket at peak times in the evenings.

"Even the most die-hard train commuters couldn’t tolerate that." said Mr Pitches.

With the new timetable, evening peak time waits at Newmarket are now between 2 and 12 minutes, with similar waits during the morning peak. Transfers at Britomart have also improved.

Maire Leadbeater, a founding member of the Campaign for Better Transport who is also seeking election to the ARC this year, thinks the scheduling improvements are an indication that "we are finally moving towards a fully integrated public transport network. Integrating the train timetables is an important first step."

Ms Leadbeater plans on using the new services to commute from her Mt Albert home to Remuera in a little over 20 minutes.

To assist commuters, the Campaign for Better Transport has prepared what it calls an "optimised timetable" which includes all 32 stations on the Western and Southern lines and highlights connecting services along with the wait times at Newmarket. The timetable is available from its website www.getmoving.org.nz

But Mr Pitches warns that some of the connections are tight.

"There are five instances during the day where connecting trains arrive at exactly the same time and a further five where the services are just one minute apart."

"Even so, we are still optimistic that we will see a big increase in the numbers of people transferring at Newmarket."

ENDS

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