20 December 2018

Leave the car at home tomorrow and take advantage of free public transport.

From 4pm on Friday 21 December travel on buses and trains right will be free across all of Auckland.

The Friday before Christmas is one of the worst days of the year for drink-driving.

To make sure everyone gets home safely, Police asked Auckland Transport to provide free public transport.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says, “Christmas is a special time of year. We want to do our part to ensure people can have fun and get home safe so they can spend the festive season with their family and friends.

“I’m encouraging all Aucklanders to keep their car keys in their pockets and jump on a bus or a train to get home. If you’re in any doubt as to whether you can drive - don’t. Use our train and bus services and make sure you get home to your families.

“Be careful out on our roads. This is a special time of year and everyone deserves to celebrate it with their nearest and dearest. Be safe, be alert and if in doubt, leave the car alone and take public transport, a taxi or walk,” says Mayor Phil Goff.

Tamaki Makaurau Road Policing Manager Inspector Scott Webb says Police deal with an increase in alcohol-related crashes during the festive season.

“If you are in any doubt at all about being safe or legal to drive after drinking – don’t drive. It’s vital you look after your mates. Make sure you have a plan to get home safely.”

At 4pm the gates at train stations will be opened, and the AT HOP tagging machines will be turned off on all bus trips starting after 4pm. This means travel is free even without an AT HOP card.

AT’s Group Manager Metro Service Delivery Stacey Van Der Putten says, “We’re expecting a lot of people to embrace public transport on Friday, and If you don’t normally take public transport or if you’ve never taken public transport in Auckland, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a go.

“There’s never been an excuse for drink-driving, it kills people on our roads. But if we can provide a free, easy public transport journey home, then it means there’s no need to drive at all. You can a have a drink after work, and you don’t even have to think about the car, just get the bus or the train.”

Staff, including Transport Officers, will be at key stations around Auckland to make sure everyone stays safe, and get where they need to go.

To plan a public transport journey use the AT Journey Planner or download the AT Mobile app.

For more information go to: https://at.govt.nz/homefree

ENDS

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