95bFM Government announced 96 full days of closures to Auckland Rail Network
9 December, 2024
Interview by Joel Armstrong, adapted by Alex Fox
Early last month, Transport Minister, Simeon Brown, announced that throughout 2025, the Auckland Rail Network would face 96 full days of closure, with an additional 53 days of reduced operations.
Brown cites that these closures are being rolled out to prepare for the opening of the City Rail Link, which is due in 2026.
He says the wider replacements and rebuilds of existing tracks are necessary to ensure the success of the Rail Link.
National Coordinator of the Public Transport Users Association New Zealand, Jon Reeves, told 95bFM’s The Wire that despite the disruption these closures will have, the organisation supports Brown’s move.
“It is one of these things that we really have to [support].”
“At the end of the day, the network has to be upgraded, and to do that, we do have to close sections of lines.”
“[The replacements and rebuilds of existing tracks are] spread over about 13 or 14 months. It is an inconvenience for sure; it is a bit annoying, but it is something that has to be done.”
Reeve says Aucklanders who actively use public transport understand the constant rail network closures, expressing that this will be a cause of concern for those who require the network out of necessity.
“I should also imagine people who need to use mobility scooters or wheelchairs, they'll find it harder.”
He says rail replacement buses as a solution is a process that needs to be better addressed, pointing to an English study in London, where replacement buses lost 70% of their patronage before closure.
“When you [provide] rail bus replacement services, you get a decline in people using those sorts of routes, and then train numbers immediately after.”
“It is going to be necessary that Auckland Transport (AT) convinces people to [use] trains [again] once they have finished their work.”
He says the organisation is calling for cheaper fares due to the limitations rail bus replacements can supply.
“Why should you pay the same price for a modern, convenient, fast, reliable train service, when you are given a bus which is slow; fingers crossed, it turns up… [The Public Transport Users Association] would like to see a reduction, and maybe a nominal figure; like 40% - 50% off, for people forced to catch a rail bus replacement.”
Reeves argues AT has a serious role to play, if these concessions were to be made.
“This would be up to AT to go to New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and Simeon Brown [asking] for additional funding so they can offer a discount to passengers.”
“This is AT’s job now to do some work.”
Reeves hopes that public transport users will be forgiveful of the stoppages once the City Rail Link is operational.
“When the City Rail Link is open, [and if] it is fully functional from day one — that's when everyone will appreciate the work that's gone into it.”
