Auckland train numbers hit the lucky 13 – Million

The numbers using trains in Auckland has reached another record – on Monday the annual total for passenger trips passed 13 million for the first time, an annual growth of 19% to the end of February.

Auckland’s trains are now carrying 10,000 more customers on a normal weekday than at this time last year.

Auckland Transport’s Group Manager Public Transport Mark Lambert says, “We reached 11 million annual trips in March last year and here we are a year later adding another two million.”

Each weekday in February, on average 51,500 customers used Auckland’s trains including 12,500 during the morning peak (7am to 9am).

Mr Lambert says “Significant growth has been recorded on both the Onehunga and Eastern Lines which now run only electric trains.” The numbers are up 50% for Eastern Line stations (Orakei to Sylvia Park) and Onehunga/Te Papapa.

This week some longer six-car trains have been rolled out on the Eastern Line to help with passenger numbers, there will be more longer trains in the next few weeks.

“We are aiming to have electric trains on most services by the middle of this year and that means extra capacity as well as improved comfort and reliability.”

Mr Lambert says stations which have had major investment are also recording big patronage growth. Passenger numbers have doubled at Panmure in the past year and there’s been a 24% increase at New Lynn.

“The stand-out performer is Manukau station where numbers are up 176% for the year. That ties in with the completion of the MIT campus and an increase in the number of services before Christmas.”

The numbers using the trains on the weekend has also increased significantly. Mr Lambert says this can be put down to more services and the fact that there has been fewer weekend closures.

Overall total public transport boardings have increased by more than 9% for the 12 months to end February, an additional 6.6 million boardings, taking the annual total to 77 million.

ENDS

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