MEDIA RELEASE

13 December 2004

Travel & parking options for Ponsonby Xmas Festival

Auckland City's Ponsonby Xmas Festival looks set to attract big crowds this Friday night, 17 December, and attendees are encouraged to use the range of travel and parking options on offer to keep traffic flowing in the Ponsonby area and minimise the impact on residents and local streets.

People wanting to attend the festival should catch the Link bus, or 'park and ride' using nearby car parks and the free shuttle system.

Two free shuttles, provided by Ponsonby Road Promotions, will be working their way around a circuit between the two car parks (listed below) and Ponsonby Road. Shuttles depart outside Victoria Park Market on Victoria Street West, travel up College Hill, along Ponsonby Road, turn left into K’ Rd and right into Mercury Lane. The shuttles will pass the Mercury Lane carpark, turn left into Queen Street and loop back into Cross Street as the drop off and pick-up point.

While there is no set schedule for the shuttles (the timetable will be influenced by traffic flow on the night), they can stop at any of the regular bus stops en route.

The two principal car park buildings are Mercury Lane (just off K' Road at the top of Pitt Street) and at Victoria Park www.citycarparks.co.nz. Both car parks have arranged to stay open late until 9.30pm especially for the event. Their prices are competitive and it is highly recommended to find a park here and walk, bus or shuttle to the event nearby.

Drivers who regularly use Ponsonby and Franklin roads may wish to use alternative routes on the night.

Find out more about the festival online at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/ponsonbyxmas. For more public transport options check out Rideline at www.rideline.co.nz.

This event is supported by Metromedia, Ponsonby Road Promotions, Sponge Bar, Radio Pacific 702AM, European Language Academy and Solid Gold 93.4FM. It is just one of more than 60 free events organised by Auckland City as part of their Ak@Play summer events programme.

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