Weekly Review No.39
This week, Maungawhau and Te Waihorotiu stations light up for Matariki, the Tawhai Tunnel partially collapses and the Coromandel-Thames Connector bus trial ends.
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As part of KiwiRail and Auckland Transport’s plans to remove or close level crossings in Auckland ahead of the City Rail Link bringing increased frequencies, the Lloyd Ave level crossing near Mount Albert has been closed and is in the process of having crossing surfaces and fences removed.
Auckland Transport advised those travelling to the Blues vs Brumbies match on Friday 14 June to plan their travel and allow more time due to industrial action.
Metlink ran bigger buses and trains to get Hurricanes and Chiefs’ fans to and from their Super Rugby showdown at Sky Stadium on Saturday 15 June.
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has shared a general update on the roll-out and implementation of the National Ticketing Solution.
New bus stops featuring passenger information displays have been installed at select stops in Palmerston North, the passenger information displays do not yet have departure information.
New Zealand’s Kiwiana Town recently celebrated the 100th birthday of the Ōtorohanga Railway Station.
Metro Canterbury has received two new electric buses, NZ Transit Buzz understands these buses will join Kinetic's fleet, reportedly there are 3 to 4 other buses in Auckland being certified before travelling South
KiwiRail’s track grinder is working its way along the Wairarapa line reprofiling sections of track between the Remutaka Tunnel and Masterton to help reduce carriage vibration.
Greater Wellington will be re-testing for carriage vibration at a range of train speeds, as well as reprofiling the wheels for an even smoother ride.
Recently KiwiRail upgraded track foundations on the Main South Line north of Port Chalmers, crews worked around the clock while battling a solar storm, removing old material, installing new drainage, laying new ballast for the rails to rest on and had the track ready for trains to run again.
Bay of Islands Vintage Railway are undertaking track clearing and restoration works from Te Akeake due to the works no cycle train connection is available at this time, also with a new Café operator starting soon staff are undertaking a quick remodel and makeover of the cafe.
A Queenstown Orbus bus back has been covered with artwork from Queenstown Primary School students, the artwork advertises the regional council’s Pollution Hotline (0800 800 033).
Island Direct has launched its own Monthly Pass after several months of chasing AT Hop, Island Direct is continuing to work to allow AT Hop on Island Direct, monthly passes can be bought at the Island Direct website
City Rail Link is training the KiwiRail signalling team on how to operate and maintain the CRL signalling systems, technical training on signalling and the commissioning of the CRL’s signalling equipment is taking place ahead of test trains later this year.
Abandoned bus stops at a prime central Hamilton location near busy bars and restaurants have sat unused for two and half years, a sight that’s left one regular visitor frustrated at authorities.
Glass canopy panels have been installed at Te Waihorotiu Station, crews manoeuvred each glass panel with the support of a crane, before sliding the panels into their metal framing.
The BUSIT, Te Huia and Metlink websites have all been updated with a page under their relevant 'fares' pages with information about the National Ticketing Solution (Motu Move).
The frequently asked questions page on the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi site has also been updated.
Kinetic’s depot at Swanson is up for lease with immediate availability, the 4.47Ha site features a large workshop, warehouse, office, paint room and a wash bay.
Tuesday marked the final day for the Coromandel-Thames Connector bus trial, the service has carried 1,060 people since it started on December 18, 2023, Thames Coromandel District Council will share trial data with the Waikato Regional Council.
A Locky Dock has been installed at Paraparaumu train station.
An unstable city street is at risk of collapsing onto one of the country's busiest freight railway lines, but the road cannot be closed because it would cost at least $1 million.
The Ministry of Transport has released all the Auckland Light Rail business case documents.
Thomas Nash has shared that public transport usage in Wellington has surpassed pre-COVID levels, bus ridership is notably higher and rail usage is slightly lower.
Auckland rail workers say their employers would be better off sorting out alternative services for commuters rather than suspending them.
Manurewa and Avondale stations have received new murals painted by artist Pascal Atiga-Bridger.
The Tawhai Tunnel on the Stillwater–Ngākawau Line partially collapsed on Saturday while crews were carrying out planned maintenance, crews were not in the tunnel when it collapsed and the tunnel remains closed.
Citylink Whangārei is revamping the digital signage on the buses for SchoolLink Routes, buses will have temporary written signage with route information on the front of the bus until they are updated.
City Rail Link announced that the lights at Maungawhau and Te Waihorotiu stations would be switched on from 5 pm on Tuesday as CRL celebrates the arrival of Matariki, floodlighting at both stations will be temporary and will become permanent later this year.
NZ Transit Buzz travelled to both stations to see them light up in celebration of Matariki.
Christchurch Tramway announced they are partnering with the Salvation Army to collect blankets and other bedding, people can donate a blanket in exchange for a complimentary Christchurch Tram ticket on Friday 12 July between 11 am - 2 pm at the Cathedral Square tram stop.
On Wednesday morning we welcomed a guest post from @Colemagoo who is dreaming of ways to improve the West-South connection with minimal changes.
Estimated annual maintenance costs to keep KiwiRail’s three ageing Interislander ferries running could almost double to $65 million by next year, and keeping the ferries afloat will be an “ongoing battle”.
The plan to rebuild a railway line north of Whangārei has been put on hold again, Wednesday’s episode of The Detail looks at the convoluted and complicated history of the railway line rebuild.
Just over six months ago, AT launched its interim busway for the NorthWest region, with the new WX express service at the heart of the changes …But how good is the interim NW busway? Pshem Kowalczyk had a deep diver over on Greater Auckland.
Due to the collapse in the Tawhai Tunnel on the Stillwater–Ngākawau Line Stockton Mine will commence coal trucking operations from Ngakawau. Beginning Wednesday up to 75 trucks a day will be on the road 7 days a week (from 7 am until 10 pm) until further notice.
The state of New Zealand's transport is becoming embarrassing according to a public transit advocate.
City Rail Link has shared a video tour showcasing work on the Maungawhau Station site.
KiwiRail has shared a video of their new ballast conveyor system in action, it consists of two conveyors with a custom-designed hopper that can be loaded with an excavator inside the tunnel and transported outside using standard rail wagons.
The Airport to Massey bus line, the improved Ashhurst to Palmerston North route and more frequent buses at weekends are where the city’s new all-electric bus service has started recording surges in passenger numbers.
KiwiRail needs to fix problems with its systems and training for responding to foul weather and stay up to date with how well third parties maintain their waterways in the rail corridor.
The Government has given an indicative timeline for the rollout of the National Ticketing Solution (Motu Move).
City Rail Link has shared a timelapse video of Te Waihorotiu Staition's façade light up for Matariki.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the Government has been “highly unimpressed” with KiwiRail’s maintenance of its Interislander ferry fleet.
KiwiRail has shared a video explaining the process involved in rebuilding a rail diamond, the video, taken near Newmarket on King's Birthday weekend, shows a pre-built 70-meter-long diamond being craned in and connected to the existing infrastructure.