Transport plan for weekend’s rugby tests

The All Blacks versus France rugby match at Eden Park tomorrow night will probably be the biggest test of the transport system since the debale of opening night. Auckland Transport seem to be well prepared this time around though, as well as for Sunday’s game between Samoa and Fiji which has also sold out:

Extra transport for fans heading to Eden Park matches

Extra trains and special event buses will be operating for fans heading to this weekend’s double-header of Rugby World Cup 2011 matches at Eden Park.

From four hours before kick-off 100 extra special event buses will be free with a match ticket from outside Britomart Transport Centre. More than 100 additional train services are operating on each day. Extra buses will be provided across the network for people travelling to the Queen’s Wharf Fanzone.

For those not going to Eden Park there will be half hourly trains on the Western Line and from Westfield to Britomart trains will alternate half hourly between the Southern and Eastern lines. Last trains depart Britomart at about 1am.

Train operator Veolia Transport also has strengthened contingency arrangements in place, including standby trains and buses. Passenger volumes will be monitored at stations.

As a safety precaution the speed limit on New North Rd through Kingsland Village will be 30km/h for three hours before kick-off, part of New North Rd will then be closed from kick off until two hours after the match.

People should expect the transport system to be busy on both days as people travel to matches and to the Queen’s Wharf Fanzone.

For those going to the match the most important thing to do is travel early to beat the crowds.

For Aucklanders planning to watch the matches at the Fanzone there are a range of options. For example, although Quay St is closed, the nearby Downtown Carpark building is still open and along with the Victoria St Carpark is a maximum of $7.50.

Traffic will be busy in the area around Eden Park, some roads will be closed and areas close to the stadium are restricted to parking for residents only. People not going to the match should be aware there is potential for delays in the area.

Transport to Eden Park:

Driving:

Parking restrictions and road closures will be in place around Eden Park and public parking will be outside the residential parking zones. If you are dropping people off at the event, the main drop off point is on Dominion Rd. Parking on streets outside the residential parking zones will involve a short walk to the stadium.People planning to drive are advised to carpool.
A limited number of accessible parking spaces will be provided in Bellwood Road (between Cromwell Street and Dominion Road), an orange mobility sticker is required for access. A shuttle service will operate between this point and the venue.

Walking: Following the Fan Trail from Auckland’s waterfront is a great way to get to the match, more information at www.auckland2011.com.

Taxi:

Taxi drop off points are on Bond St and Dominion Rd pre-match and after the match taxi ranks are on Dominion Rd and New North Rd
A mobility taxi rank is located in Bellwood Avenue near Cromwell Street for mobility drop off / pick up. A shuttle operates to and from the stadium. People being picked up need to make sure the vehicle is in place before the end of the match to avoid the road closures.

Special event services:

Travel is free with a match ticket on trains and special event buses from 5.30pm on Saturday and 12.30pm on Sunday. The special event buses from Britomart are free from 4.30pm on Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday. After the match, travel is free on special event buses until one hour after the match (or until the crowd has cleared) and until the end of service on trains.

Buses:

To Eden Park from Britomart and the Civic Theatre on Queen St every 5 minutes , Albany every 10 minutes via all Northern Busway Stations, Takapuna from Hurstmere Rd every 15 minutes, Newmarket and Mt Eden every 10 minutes and from Manukau city centre/Botany Town Centre/Pakuranga Plaza every 30 minutes. Free shuttle bus from Whangaparaoa Plaza via Silverdale to Albany Bus Station (Saturday 5 & 5.30pm, Sunday 12 and 12.30pm).

Trains:

Approximately every 5-7 minutes between Britomart and Kingsland (between 5.37pm – 7.44pm and after the match on Saturday and on Sunday from 12.37pm to 2.44pm and after the match), stopping only at Grafton Station on the way.
Three additional direct services from Papakura to the match, calling all stations to Newmarket, then Grafton and direct to Kingsland
Trains from the west run to Morningside approx. every 15 minutes in the lead up to matches and every 10 to 15 minutes after matches.

Let’s hope everything goes smoothly.

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