Media release
Friday 18 January 2008
Auckland Anniversary weekend opportunity for work on Newmarket station redevelopment
Big changes are being made as part of the redevelopment of Newmarket train station during Auckland Anniversary weekend.
ONTRACK staff and contractors will be working around the clock to install new track and signalling and open two new
temporary stations, which will be used during the construction of a new station for the Auckland Regional Transport
Authority (ARTA).
The work is a critical step in a major redevelopment of the station – the second busiest on Auckland’s rail network. To
accomplish it, trains will not be able to use Newmarket during the weekend resulting in their replacement by buses on
the Western and Southern lines over the three days.
Bus replacement services will be provided for commuters along the entire Western Line and on the Southern Line between
Britomart and Otahuhu throughout the weekend. Passengers travelling to Otahuhu or stations further south are advised to
catch Eastern Line trains from Britomart. Additional Eastern Line train services will run between Papakura and Britomart
(via Sylvia Park and Glen Innes) on Saturday and Sunday, with an enhanced public holiday timetable in operation on
Auckland Anniversary Day.
Where buses replace trains, normal fares will apply for the entire journey. Passengers should look out for the RAIL BUS
sign at affected stations.
ONTRACK’S Project DART director, Ted Calvert, says at least three days are needed to make the necessary changes to the
track and signalling at the busy rail junction to commission the two new stations and open a new section of track
directly linking Britomart to the Western Line.
“We have chosen to do it over a long weekend so the work can be done with minimal disruption to weekday commuters.”
ONTRACK workers will also be taking advantage of the weekend to carry out work at New Lynn, where a one-kilometre
stretch of track through the town centre is to be lowered into a trench. Further work will also continue on double
tracking the Western Line between Henderson and Swanson.
The existing Newmarket station will close at 8pm on Friday January 25th.
ARTA’s Chief Executive, Fergus Gammie says, “The redevelopment of Newmarket train station is one of Auckland’s most
significant infrastructural projects. As ONTRACK and ARTA work to redevelop the rail network, a passenger transport
future is being created which Auckland has been lacking for decades.
Mr Gammie says the new station at Newmarket will be built over the next two years and will link into Newmarket’s
business and retail areas.
From Tuesday 29th January two temporary stations will be opened for those using the train in Newmarket – one at Kingdon
St (Newmarket West) for those using the Western Line, and one on Remuera Rd (Newmarket South) for Southern Line
services. This will keep disruption to commuters to a minimum while the new station is built and provides a large, safe
construction area to build the new station as quickly and efficiently as possible.
For more information regarding bus replacement services and train services available, please contact MAXX on 366 6400 or
visit www.maxx.co.nz.
Redeveloping Newmarket station is a critical part of Project DART, ONTRACK’s $600 million upgrade of Auckland’s rail
network and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority’s programme of action for improving rail stations and giving
Aucklanders more frequent and reliable train services.
For more information on the upgrade to Newmarket station visit www.projectDART.org.nz or www.arta.co.nz
For service information during Anniversary Weekend contact: www.maxx.co.nz or 09 366 6400.
ENDS