27 June 2007

Public transport best way to get to Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses fans heading to Vector Arena on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 June can leave their car locked in the garage, as public transport services will have them arriving right at the door.

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority's (ARTA) General Manager, Customer Services, Mark Lambert says, "Offering frequent services to big events such as the Guns N’ Roses concert is part of ARTA's commitment to encouraging more Aucklanders to use public transport for work, school and leisure activities.

“More and more people are now using public transport to special events, and we are constantly refining our services for such events as well as for day-to-day travel on Auckland’s developing passenger transport network.”

The best way to get to the concert is taking The Link bus, which stops on Beach Road close to Vector Arena. Passengers can catch The Link from various locations around the CBD, Parnell, Newmarket, Karangahape Road and Ponsonby. The cash fare is $1.60 one way.

Vector Arena is approximately 10 minutes’ walk from Britomart Transport Centre. A regular timetable will be operating for all buses, trains and ferries travelling to Britomart, and normal fares will apply.

“We would advise fans to allow plenty of time to get to the arena in time for the concert,” says Mr Lambert.

Rock fans planning to stay out late in Auckland's CBD can take advantage of special buses heading back into town after the concert finishes. The buses will take passengers to the CBD’s bars and clubs, or connect them to the NiteRider buses at the St James and Civic which travel to most parts of Auckland. The special buses leave Quay Street (by the pedestrian railway overbridge), travelling to Queen Street and Karangahape Road. The cash fare is $0.50 per person.

Additional train services will depart Britomart on both Friday and Saturday night after the concert. On the Southern and Eastern lines, a train will depart for Otahuhu (via Newmarket) at 1.50am and for Papakura (via Glen Innes) at 2am. On Friday night, a train will depart for Waitakere at 2.05am and on Saturday night a train for Henderson will leave Britomart at 1.55am. Concertgoers living further out west can then take the transfer bus from Henderson to Waitakere.

Fans heading home to the North Shore can catch a special ferry to Devonport at 1.30am.

Passengers planning to use public transport to and from the Guns N’ Roses concert can get more information from MAXX on (09) 366 6400 or visit www.maxx.co.nz

ENDS