Transport Busy for Eden Park Playoff

Commuters are advised to avoid roads around Eden Park prior to this Friday’s Blues playoff game.

Auckland Transport says people need to think about their travel arrangements, even if they’re not going to the game. Public transport and roads will be busy.

Drivers can expect more traffic than usual and potential delays from around 5pm until kick off at 7.35pm as large numbers make their way to Eden Park.

Some streets around Eden Park, including Sandringham Rd, will be closed or have restricted access. Only residents and their visitors will be able to access and park in certain streets.

People using public transport can also expect it to be busy and for some changes to normal services. Trains and special event buses are free from 4.30pm with a match ticket, extra event trains will run in addition to normal timetabled services.

Regular train services between Britomart and Morningside stations will be replaced by buses between approximately 8pm and 11pm to minimise disruption for commuters. This allows trains to set up for moving large numbers of passengers quickly after the game.

Auckland Transport spokesman Wally Thomas says people need to plan their travel whether they’re going to the game or not.

“With large crowds heading to the game when people are also leaving work it’s likely there could be some traffic delays.

“The Super Rugby playoff series gives us an opportunity to run special event transport plans with a larger crowd than usual. We also hope it raises awareness that during the upcoming Bledisloe Cup and Rugby World Cup 2011 people do need to think about how their travel is affected.”

Extra train services will run to Kingsland from Britomart, in addition to normal timetabled services every 15 minutes on the Western Line. The special event services stop only at Grafton Station before terminating at Kingsland.

An additional game day service along the southern line from Papakura at 6.08pm will go direct from Newmarket to Kingsland. For all other journeys on the southern and eastern lines passengers are advised to use normal scheduled services to Britomart and then catch a special event train to Kingsland.

Free special event buses will run from a new Auckland CBD stop, outside the Civic on Queen Street. Special event buses also run to/from Eden Park from Albany, Takapuna, Manukau/Pakuranga/Botany and Newmarket/Mt Eden.

For full details about special event trains and buses to Eden Park go to www.maxx.co.nz Details will also be available at stations.

Passengers are reminded that alcohol is not permitted for consumption on any of these public transport services.

About Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council. It is responsible for all of the region’s transport services (excluding state highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport.

Among its main tasks are:

To design, build and maintain Auckland’s roads, ferry wharves, cycleways and walkways.

Co-ordinate road safety and community transport initiatives such as school travel

Plan and fund bus, train and ferry services across Auckland.

For more information go to www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media