Source: Radio New Zealand
Auckland’s Waitematā Station. Dan Satherley / RNZ
Transport authorities are warning of delays for Auckland rail commuters on Tuesday morning, after KiwiRail discovered faulty track work carried out by contractors.
Auckland’s Western and Southern line trains are running at a reduced schedule, with no trains between Waitematā and Newmarket.
Chief metro officer David Gordon said the faulty work carried out by contractors over the Waitangi Weekend network closure meant the Parnell rail tunnel has had to be closed.
The track was assessed overnight and repairs would be made as quickly as possible, Gordon said.
“KiwiRail is investigating how this faulty work happened,” he said.
“We appreciate how frustrating this is for Aucklanders. Safety is our first priority and we will aim to have the tunnel reopened so that trains can run normally for the afternoon peak.”
Until then, Auckland Transport said the Southern line would run from Pukekohe to Newmarket, and Western line from Swanson to Newmarket – however, both would run every 20 minutes instead of every 10 minutes.
The agency apologised for the inconvenience. It advised travellers to use its Journey Planner to find the best alternative bus services and allow extra time for journeys.
“There will be rail replacement buses on the whole Western line while customers can also transfer at Newmarket to the 70 or InnerLink bus from 7203 Stop A Newmarket to get to Waitematā and buses will accept train tickets. The InnerLink also passes Parnell station. Customers travelling to the city from south of Ōtāhuhu can transfer from the Southern line to the Eastern line at Ōtāhuhu station to reach Waitematā,” it said.
The Eastern line would continue to operate to Waitematā as normal.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
