ARTA Media Release
27 May 2009

Buses take over as work to upgrade the rail network continues this Queen’s Birthday weekend

As intensive work to upgrade the rail network, carried out by KiwiRail, continues this Queen’s Birthday weekend, buses will take over from trains on the Western line and part of the Southern line from Saturday 30 May until Monday 1 June.

Bus replacements will be in place for all Western line stations between Waitakere and Britomart on Saturday 30 May and Monday 1 June, for all Western line stations between New Lynn and Britomart on Sunday 31 May and for all Southern line stations between Otahuhu and Britomart from Saturday 30 May to Monday 1 June.

ARTA General Manager Customer Services, Mark Lambert says “We’d like to thank passengers for their continued support and understanding. More and more people are choosing to travel by rail, with patronage in the region increasing to the highest on record since records for rail began in 1955 in the nine months to March 2009. We’d like to thank Aucklanders for making that happen.

“The long weekends are usually a little quieter on the rail network, and therefore are the most opportune time to get on with work that will help improve services even more. This is work that can only be done when the trains are not running.” Mr Lambert said.

A lot of activity will take place at Avondale, where a second track will be laid through the Chalmers St level crossing and construction will begin on the platforms for the future Avondale Station. In New Lynn there will be work throughout the weekend on building the southern rail trench wall and rail overbridges in the area. Further work will take place at Newmarket, Mt Albert, Penrose, Mt Eden and Ellerslie.

Passengers should look out for RAIL BUS signs at affected stations, and where buses replace trains normal train fares will apply for the entire journey. Passengers should also allow extra time for their journey.

Due to an event in Auckland CBD over Queen’s Birthday weekend, rail buses departing from, and arriving at Britomart, will use stop D9 on the corner of Queen Street and Galway Street.

Rugby fans heading to Mt Smart for the Warriors game on Sunday 31 May are advised that as there are rail bus replacements, there will be no additional services to and from Penrose Station. Fans can however, also use regular bus services traveling via Great South Rd past Penrose station, and 008 or 009 Crosstown services traveling via Mt Smart Stadium, to get them to the game.

For more details on rail services, rail bus replacements and transport services to Mt Smart, please call MAXX on 3666 400 or visit maxx.co.nz.

ENDS

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