MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 14 December

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 or phone 0800 103 080. Details are also available at stations.

Saturday and Sunday 15 and 16 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 major improvement work at Mt Albert the remaining section of the old Carrington Road access ramp will be demolished and removed. There will also be some excavation and piling work carried out on the platform.

At Britomart KiwiRail is making changes to the track layout to give more options for arriving and departing trains. Maintenance will be carried out on platforms 2 and 4 and on ceiling lights. At the same time the station’s ceiling mesh will be dismantled to allow for further drilling work during the Christmas closure.

Given the significant amount of work to be done, Auckland Transport and KiwiRail are taking advantage of the annual Christmas rail closure to carry out important upgrade work. All or parts of the Auckland rail network will be closed between 22 December and 21 January. Buses will replace trains for most of this time.

A special holiday timetable brochure is now available at ticket offices or download from www.at.co.nz

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

ENDS

© Scoop Media