MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 29 November 2012

Buses Replace Trains This Weekend

Auckland’s rail network will be closed this weekend to allow major works associated with the on-going station improvements and electrification.

Replacement rail bus services will be provided during the closure and special timetables will be in place for them. Buses will be marked Rail Bus. All valid tickets and passes currently accepted on trains can be used on rail bus replacements.

For full details go to www.at.co.nz Details are also available at stations.

Saturday and Sunday 1 and 2 December - full network closure

Please be aware that there may be minor delays to services next week to allow for the weekend works to settle in.

Work this weekend includes general track maintenance, and preparatory works ahead of electric trains. This includes installing overhead wires, masts and portals, potholing, foundation and geotech works at various points along the rail network.

As part of the AMETI project, demolition of the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway traffic bridge over the rail line will be carried out to prepare for construction of a new one. Traffic is now using a new bridge next to it. Beams will also be lifted in over the rail line for the new Panmure Station building.

Improvement works at Mt Albert station begin this weekend with the closure of the Carrington Road ramp access to the platform. Stage one involves demolishing the ramp, pile work, platform works and temporary upgrade of the underpass. Stage one is expected to be completed by April 2013.

Along the southern line KiwiRail will be carrying out drilling and other bridge work at the Papatoetoe overbridge, Weymouth Road, Manurewa and Great South Road bridge.

Given the significant amount of work to be done, closures on Auckland's rail network will be a regular occurrence for the foreseeable future. The next scheduled network closure is Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 December. Works are generally carried out on weekends, public holidays and at night to minimise disruption to peak-hour commuter services.

Auckland Transport understands replacing trains with buses causes some disruption and works hard to minimise the impacts while balancing project safety and efficiency.

For more details on the upgrade of the rail network visit www.kiwirail.co.nz.

ENDS

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