Special public transport timetables over quieter holiday period

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is encouraging Aucklanders to check out the special public transport holiday timetables before Christmas, and plan their journeys carefully between Saturday 22 December 2007 and Sunday 6 January 2008.

ARTA's General Manager, Customer Services, Mark Lambert says, “Over the quieter holiday period there will be changes to normal public transport services. Aucklanders planning to travel by bus, train or ferry over the holiday period should check out the special holiday timetables. Passengers can plan their journeys by visiting www.maxx.co.nz or by calling MAXX on 366 6400.

"We thank Aucklanders in advance for taking the time to find out about changes to public transport services over the holiday period and we hope, as the region's public transport services and facilities continue to improve, that some will also consider adding using public transport more often to their list of New Year's resolutions.

“Aucklanders planning to celebrate New Year's Eve in the Auckland CBD can catch special NiteRider buses home between 1am and 3am from the Civic precinct. Heading out to ten areas around Auckland, the NiteRider buses are a cost-effective way to get home safely on New Year's Eve,” Mr Lambert says.

Normal timetables for bus, train and ferry services resume on Monday 7 January. From this day, train passengers using Sturges Road station will catch their train from a smart new platform developed in partnership between ARTA and ONTRACK as part of the ongoing upgrade of the Western Line and the overall Auckland rail network.

ARTA has been working closely with its operators to provide Aucklanders with an appropriate service level during the holiday period, and with track provider ONTRACK and train operator Veolia Transport to minimise the impact of essential track works throughout the holiday period.

About the timetable changes from 22 December 2007 to 6 January 2008:

Buses

• 22, 29 December and 5 January – Saturday timetable


• 23, 25, 26, 30 December and 1, 2, 6 January – Sunday/public holiday timetable


• 24, 27, 28, 31 December and 3, 4 January – special holiday timetable


• Stagecoach and North Star buses are free on Christmas Day


• Special NiteRider buses will be operating on New Years Eve, with 10 routes across Auckland departing between 1am and 3am from the Civic precinct.

Trains

• No services on Christmas Day on all lines


• Special timetables for all lines will be in effect from 24 December until 6 January


• A full bus replacement service will operate on the whole Western Line between Britomart and Waitakere and on the Southern Line between Britomart and Newmarket from 26 until 31 December


• A bus replacement service will operate on the Western Line between Henderson and Waitakere from 1 January until 5 January


• A bus replacement service will operate on the Southern Line between Britomart and Otahuhu from 2 January until 6 January


• The bus replacements will allow for the continuation of double tracking work (including the Newmarket station redevelopment) and major track maintenance. Passengers are advised to check dates and times carefully before travelling.

Ferries

• Bayswater, Birkenhead, Northcote Point to Downtown


• 25, 26 December and 1, 2 January – no services


• All other days – normal timetable
• Devonport to Downtown


• 25, 26 December and 1, 2 January – Sunday/public holiday timetable


• Reduced morning services from 25 December to 4 January


• 31 December – a Saturday timetable will operate for Devonport services, with minor changes to morning services and amendments to after midnight times
• Gulf Harbour to Downtown


• 25, 26 December and 1, 2 January – no services


• 24, 27, 28 and 3, 4 January – special holiday timetable


• 31 December – normal services


• Half Moon Bay to Waiheke Island and Downtown


• 25 December – no Fullers services (SeaLink is operating a limited service and Waiheke Shipping are operating a normal service to Waiheke Island)


• Pine Harbour, Stanley Bay, West Harbour to Downtown


• 22 December to 6 January – no services


• Pine Harbour to Waiheke Island and Rakino


• Normal weekend timetable


• Waiheke Island to Downtown


• 25, 26 December and 1, 2 January – Sunday/public holiday timetable


• 31 December – additional Waiheke to Auckland sailings after midnight with amended late night services*

*Extra charges will apply to these special late night services departing Waiheke and tickets must be pre-purchased.

ENDS