Weekly Review No.33
This week two Fullers360 boats undergo repair and maintenance, suspended ferry services are set for a return and an intensified maintenance program for Interislander ferries is scheduled.
I hope everyone has been keeping warm during the recent cold snap, keep yourself informed by following our Twitter/X for real-time transport news updates, if you’ve happened to miss anything from the past week, don't worry, we've got you covered – catch up with the Weekly Review below.
The Christchurch Tramway has moved onto its winter operating hours, Tramcars will operate every 15-20 minutes from 9 am until 5 pm daily with the last tram departing from Stop 1 at 4 pm.
Beginning May 11 a free ferry with a capacity for 60 people will begin a trail taking passengers between Te Wero Island and Karanga Plaza while the Wynyard bridge remains out of action.
Additional security has been put in place at some Auckland bus stations after a series of violent attacks on teenagers by large groups of other young people.
Nelson City and Tasman District councils signed off on unbudgeted money to pay for their shares of a $1.05 million overspend on the region’s new eBus service, rolled out in August.
One of South Waikato’s biggest exporters is loving sending stock by rail to the Port of Tauranga.
Two teenagers have been arrested after the alleged robbery of four buses in the Hutt Valley in late April, Police said that during the robberies, drivers were assaulted, and cash boxes "with minimal amounts of money" were taken.
Locals and tourists seem to be onboard with a plan to use a ferry while a foot-bridge across Viaduct Harbour in central Auckland is repaired, but many reckon it will still be faster to walk.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has approved funding to support increased patrols by compliance wardens amid a series of attacks on young people across the city's public transport network.
City leaders are urging the Government to find the sweet spot between public transport and roads as the Hamilton-Auckland commuter train looks increasingly like a political football.
The clock is ticking on Fuller's monopoly of the Waiheke ferry service with the government set to enable newcomers Island Direct to become part of the SuperGold card scheme from the 1 July.
Maritime operators have been discussing ways for Auckland's ferry network to reach zero emissions at a conference in the city, The New Zealand Maritime Transport Association conference brought together maritime industry representatives - from public transport operators to boat builders.
Waikato political heavyweights have lined up to support continued funding for the five-year Hamilton-Auckland Te Huia passenger rail service trial ahead of a key meeting this month over its future.
On May 2nd 1964, the last tram rode the streets of Wellington, with the increased use of public buses and private cars, the Wellington City Corporation was forced to close New Zealand’s last electric tramway system.
A new fence is being installed along the train line near Sylvia Park station.
NZ Transit Buzz has conducted a HOP card speed read test between the new HOP reader and the older style, both readers appear to operate at the same speed with a standard HOP card.
New flexible public transport options are being suggested to fill the gaps created by Palmerston North’s new electric, faster and more direct bus services.
InterCity buses says it’s well-placed to bump up services between Hamilton and Auckland if Government funding is pulled for the Te Huia rail service trial.
Hamilton’s Te Huia rail service may not have much time left, but its supporters were out in force to remind officials it’s not just about commuting to and from Auckland.
KiwiRail is continuing work to construct a permanent retaining wall backing onto the Manawa Wetland Reserve, the capping for the retaining wall is currently being added and crews have also begun working on the culvert underneath the tracks.
On the other side of Titirangi Road work has started to repair another slip.
Auckland Transport has been raking in over $100,000 a week from a CCTV camera installed at the end of a bus lane on Karangahape Road, that’s rarely used by buses.
Texts between Mayor Wayne Brown’s office and transport bosses reveal behind-the-scenes confusion as Auckland’s train network descended into chaos in February.
The land and buildings that previously made up the Papanui Railway Station are up for sale, the building currently houses a Korean-themed restaurant.
The morning rush hour on the buses between Richmond and Nelson is so busy that there are now six buses leaving Richmond in less than an hour every weekday morning.
A petition has been launched to save passenger train Te Huia as the government looks to axe funding for the Hamilton to Auckland service.
Two Fullers360 boats are undergoing repair and maintenance work at McMullen and Wing, D5 is in for propeller adjustments, and Takahe is in to facilitate an engine replacement and some minor maintenance work.
Belaire Ferries Spirit was launched on Monday after a stay of a few weeks completing exhaust modifications.
NZ Transit Buzz spotted on the Auckland Transport website that from the 4th June weekday inter-peak and evening sailings will be restored and weekday inter-peak Half Moon Bay ferry replacement buses will be removed as they are no longer required.
As the scaffolding comes down at Te Waihorotiu the art feature inside the superstructure’s foyer is being installed.
Works on the Western Powerfeed near Glen Eden are progressing well with drainage and earthworks advancing.
In September, the Lower Hutt station’s subway was closed for an upgrade. It was supposed to cost $1.35m and be finished by March this year. It is now scheduled to be finished in July with the cost rising by $400,000.
Several of Auckland’s suspended ferry services are set to return after an intensive training programme from 4 June:
Additional Devonport services at weekday peak times
Additional peak services for Bayswater, Birkenhead and Te Onewa Northcote Point
More ferries for Half Moon Bay
According to the latest Life in Christchurch Transport survey, results show public transport use bumped up from 25% of people surveyed in 2022 to 29% in 2023 and of those using the bus, a third reported using it more frequently.
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June.
A map showing the indicative route of the temporary Wynyard ferry has been released to Auckland Council's Transport and Infrastructure Committee ahead of their May 9 meeting, the ferry will travel between Te Wero Island & Karanga Plaza.
Island Direct's ferry, Te Waipiki is not running due to scheduled maintenance between May 7–9, during this time no services will be in operation, service will resume as normal on Friday 10th May.
The scaffolding on one side of the Wellesley St entrance building of Te Waihorotiu Station has been taken down, unveiling the thousands of coloured aluminium fins that comprise its upper façade.
East By West Ferries is proposing putting on a late-night sailing after the Wellington Phoenix semi-final on 18 May, EBWF require a minimum of 15 passengers to use this service or it will not be able to go ahead.
We kicked off Wednesday with a guest post from Ryan Stickland where he imagines a more extensive train network for Auckland.
If you would like to submit a guest post please email us at nztransitbuzz@gmail.com
A double-deck bike rack has been installed at Frankton Station in Hamilton, the rack can hold 30 bikes.
Richard Hills has shared the updated ferry timetables for Bayswater & Birkenhead which come into effect on June 4, official timetables are yet to be produced.
City Rail Link has shared a progress update from Inside Te Waihorotiu Station showing crews progress installing glass balustrades throughout the station, the glass balustrades run along the length of the concourse level.
Transport inequities are proving a barrier for some young people in Invercargill, preventing them from joining in group activities.
The Waikato District Council is warning that Te Huia passenger train services could be discontinued unless the service continues to receive funding provided by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi.
One of Palmerston North’s new electric buses has clipped a car while navigating an intersection, the accident caused damage to the door which prevented the bus from moving as it was unable to determine if it was closed.
KiwiRail has shared a by-the-numbers breakdown of Stage 3a of the Rail Network Rebuild.
Excavated & replaced 1107 meters of formation
Upgraded 6922 metres of drainage
Lifted and replaced 479 metres of track
Excavated and replaced 1197 metres of ballast
An intensified maintenance program for Interislander's trouble-plagued Cook Strait ferries will see all three out of service for protracted periods over the coming months.
Aratere, will lay-by in Wellington for work from 11 to 23 May.
Kaiarahiwill undergo a ‘wet dock’ at the Waitohi West berth in Picton from 4 June until 6 July.
Kaitaki will be out of service from 29 July to 6 October.
Auckland Transport has rolled out New Zealand Sign Language communications at Waitematā (Britomart) station, the pilot videos went live on May 6 and display basic safety messages typically communicated via station sound systems or signage.
The messages are being displayed on the big screens in Waitematā station, eventually, the messages will be displayed on a second screen in the Downtown Ferry Terminal, and on some of the Fullers ferry fleet.
Feedback can be given here: AccessibilityMetroServices@at.govt.nz
Wellington City Council have put plans to build a permanent cycleway in Brooklyn on hold, the project included changes to the number and location of bus stops to improve bus journey times.
City Rail Link has shared images of the precast concrete panels attached to the Mt Eden Road bridge designed by Graham Tipene, the 9-tonne panels have been installed on Mt Eden Road, Normanby Road & Ruru Lane bridges, and metal safety screens are to be installed atop the panels.
Western Line commuters can expect more reliable services 'in the coming months as final track work is completed’.
The upgraded Naenae subway designed to provide a safe, modern entry to the train station and an improved pedestrian connection to Avalon was blessed by Te Āti Awa, Taranaki Whānui and Greater Wellington on Wednesday.
Crews have completed the first stage of enabling trains to be powered up inside the CRL tunnels, over a Block of Line weekend crews livened the traction switching cabinet and overhead line equipment switches connecting 25kV power into the tunnels.
The Howick Local Board has again voiced its opposition to Auckland Transport’s plan to divert the Eastern Busway through Burswood.
KiwiRail has driven 279 concrete piles, approximately 12 meters into the ground, to form the foundations for Drury Railway Station on both sides of the rail corridor, the pilling has been completed before the main construction begins later this year.
Eke Panuku has confirmed their ferry trial will take place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm, a single ferry will operate on Saturday with two ferries running on Sunday.
Go Bus has launched a $10,000 Dunedin Community Sponsorship Fund and is inviting local community groups to apply online to access their share.
Metlink will be running extra trains and bigger buses for Phoenix’s semifinal against Melbourne Victory on Saturday 18 May, additional carriages will be added to some post-match rail services & bigger buses will run on key bus routes, including 1, 3, and 7.
The number of bus trips taken in Queenstown from July 2023 to March 2024 was 1,440,645. In Dunedin there were 2,506,816 bus trips.
March 2024 was the highest month on record for Dunedin, while in Queenstown January, February and March 2024 all registered record patronage of over 168,000 trips per month.