Bus replacements for Western Line on Queens Birthday weekend as upgrade continues

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) advises that a revised timetable will be operating on parts of the Western Line on the Friday prior to Queen’s Birthday weekend and during Queen’s Birthday weekend itself (30 May to 2 June 2008), as a new second track between Swanson and Henderson will be commissioned.

ARTA's General Manager, Customer Services, Mark Lambert says, "The completion of this part of the double tracking works along the Western Line, along with upgraded train stations at Ranui, Swanson and Sturges Road, represents a significant advance in the development of a modern rail network for Auckland."

To allow for this work to be completed in time for use from Tuesday 3 June a closure of parts of the Western Line will be required from the morning of Friday 30 May.

Bus replacements will be operating on the following days:
· Friday 30 May after 9.30am (following the morning peak) – between Henderson and Waitakere
· Saturday 31 May and Monday 2 June* – between New Lynn and Waitakere.

Western Line train services between Henderson and Britomart will be operating normally on Friday 30 May, and services between New Lynn and Britomart will be operating normally between Saturday 31 May and Monday 2 June.

"We understand that the bus replacements may cause disruptions to passengers, especially as bus replacements between Henderson and Waitakere will be in place during the day and the evening peak on Friday 30 May. The Western Line upgrade is an important component of the overall upgrade of the Auckland rail network, improving frequency and reliability of services and ultimately reducing commuting time for Aucklanders. The support and understanding of passengers while this important work is taking place is greatly appreciated,” Mr Lambert says.

Where buses replace trains, normal train fares will apply for the entire journey. Passengers should look out for the RAIL BUS sign at affected stations.

Passengers are advised to check timetables carefully before travelling.

MAXX Ambassadors will be at Waitakere, Swanson, Ranui, Sturges Road and Henderson stations on Thursday 29 between 6.00am to 9.00am and 3.00pm to 9.30pm, and all day on Friday 30 May (until 9.00pm) to inform passengers about the bus replacements.

MAXX Ambassadors will also be at Swanson, Ranui and Sturges Road stations on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 June from 6.00am to 9.00am to help passengers get used to the two new platforms.

“For your own safety, please use the pedestrian access provided, and remember that two tracks means two trains so take extra care when crossing,” says Mr Lambert.

From Tuesday 3 June, passengers catching the train from Ranui, Swanson or Sturges Road station will also be able to enjoy upgraded train station facilities, with improved shelter, lighting, CCTV security monitoring and public address systems and two platforms to catch the train to Britomart or to Waitakere.

The work is part of the Western Line upgrade, which is being carried out by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) who is responsible for improving rail stations and giving Aucklanders more frequent and reliable train services, and rail network provider ONTRACK who are building new tracks and platforms and upgrading signalling, with project support from local councils.

Passengers can get more information about the bus replacements and about Western Line train timetables from MAXX on (09) 366 6400 or at www.maxx.co.nz

To find out more about ONTRACK’s work to upgrade Auckland’s rail network, visit www.projectdart.org.nz

* There are no train services between New Lynn and Waitakere on a Sunday.