Auckland Transport media release
23 November 2016

Plan ahead for Santa’s arrival on Sunday

Santa is coming to town on Sunday but the central city has changed a bit since his last visit. Santa says driving into town isn’t a great idea so he’s suggesting you take the family on a bus, train or ferry to the Farmers Santa Parade.

Public transport will be busier than usual but Auckland Transport is putting on some extra services to make sure everyone is in town for the 1pm parade.

Bus
Enjoy the ride by bus, services will operate to a Sunday timetable and normal fares/passes will apply.
Due to road closures a number of city centre bus stops will be relocated and there will be some route diversions. Visit Stop closures due to Farmers Santa Parade. Santa’s helpers, Auckland Transport Ambassadors will be on site to assist passengers.
To plan your journey to the Farmers Santa Parade use the Journey Planner.
Additional bus services
The bus routes below will have additional services travelling to and from the city centre, normal fares/passes apply.
Howick & Eastern - 500, 550
Birkenhead Transport - 955, 973, 974
Go WEST - 136, 153, 222, 224
Metrolink - 248, 258, 267, 277, 302, 312
756 City Centre to Panmure via Mission Bay and Glen Innes
Northstar - 839, 858, 875, 879
Northern Express
Albany to City Centre via all Busway Stations
Additional Northern Express buses will travel to Victoria Park (temporary bus stop S4A on Beaumont St) between approx 10.45am and 12.30pm. Buses will run at least 8 services per hour. Outside these times, the frequency from Albany is 15 minutes.
Hibiscus Coast Station to City Centre
The frequency from Hibiscus Coast Station to the city is 30 minutes all day.
City Centre to Albany and Hibiscus Coast Stations via all Busway Stations
Additional Northern Express buses will be on standby to depart from Victoria Park (Fanshawe St - stop 7036) as frequently as required from around 2.15pm, including some extra buses going as far as Hibiscus Coast Station.
When the extra buses are no longer required, the frequency to Albany will return to 15 minutes and to Hibiscus Coast Station every 30 minutes.

Train
Enjoy the ride on the trains, operating approximately every 20-30 minutes on most lines into the city. Normal fares/passes will apply.

Please be advised that balloons cannot be carried on trains or in the stations due to the risk of them flying away and hitting the overhead power lines.
Britomart Train Station will be busy so if you’re travelling on the Western Line use the Eastern Entrance in Takutai Square.
For those of you using the Southern, Eastern and Onehunga Lines use the Queen St, Tyler St and Galway St entrances into the Britomart CPO building. The back entrance from Commerce St is closed due to construction.
View the Western and Southern Line (includes Eastern and Onehunga Lines) train timetable for Sunday 27 November 2016 (PDF 436KB).

Ferry
The Downtown Ferry Terminal is located on Quay St in Downtown Auckland. Normal fares/passes apply for ferry services.
Fullers will have additional ferry services to get you to the parade, normal fares/passes apply.
Check the website: https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/events/farmers-santa-parade/

Taking your own vehicle to the parade?
If you are planning to drive to the parade, please be aware that road closures and parking restrictions will be in place.
Public parking is free at the Downtown, Victoria Street and Civic car parks for vehicles parked by 11am and exited by 6pm. Exit after 6pm will incur a fee.
Plan ahead, travel early and enjoy the day. If it’s wet Santa will be coming to town on Sunday 4 December.

New fares for children

It’s much easier and cheaper for children to get around Auckland at the weekend. Auckland Transport now has 99 cent weekend fares for children aged 5 to 15 travelling on an AT HOP card.

The 99 cent fare covers travel on buses and trains on weekend and during public holidays. To qualify for this fare, a parent or caregiver needs to load a child concession on the AT HOP card and it needs to be registered.

The cardholder can make up to five bus or train trips over a four hour period with up to 30 minutes between each trip.

Check-out video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrxblG01Q6E and webpage:https://at.govt.nz/childweekendfares

Santa Parade website: http://www.santaparade.co.nz/

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