Weekly Review No.62
This week: Motu Move trial date confirmed, CRL Connect reveals Waitematā Station updates, and trains return to the North Auckland Line.
Welcome back to the Weekly Review, remember NZ Transit Buzz is now posting on BlueSky! If you’ve made the move give us a follow.
There are just 3 editions of the Weekly Review left before we go on our summer hiatus, this year we will be closed from December 24th until January 13th, and when we return in 2025 we will share our regular summer rail network shutdown post to see what work was undertaken during the 2024/25 summer shutdown, check out our 2023/24 post here.
What happened during Auckland’s annual rail network shutdown?
In December of 2021 I ventured out and started taking photos of all the work happening along Auckland’s rail network during KiwiRail’s Summer Shutdown.
Environment Canterbury says the popularity of the Total Mobility scheme, which offers subsidised bus and taxi rides, led to an overspend of $910,000 million over its budgeted $2.86 million in the year to June 2024.
Maritime New Zealand took issue with a direction from the Marlborough harbourmaster to impose a 187-metre limit on new ships entering the Marlborough Sounds via Tory Channel, newly released emails show.
Public transport options to shuttle workers from Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell to Wānaka and Queenstown are being explored by Otago Regional Council.
Oamaru Steam and Rail are preparing a train carriage that will be loaded with logs to become a working sawmill for Netflix’s reproduction of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel East of Eden.
Public transport leaders have requested an urgent meeting with the Transport Minister over revenue targets that would mean a surge in bus, ferry and train fares.
The Chief Ombudsman is investigating a complaint about KiwiRail’s refusal to release the cost of advice it received from global management consultants McKinsey & Company.
Approximately 30% of the paving stones around the Beresford Square entrance to Karanga-a-Hape Station have been laid by the City Rail Link paving crews over the past 4 weeks.
The Government-funded upgrade work at KiwiRail's Whangārei rail yard is nearing completion with light towers going up this week, the tamper has also arrived ready to start work sorting and repacking ballast on the line to Kauri.
The Greater Wellington Regional Council chair has expressed “grave concerns” in an open letter to Transport Minister Simeon Brown over increased funding for public transport from councils.
Fares are set to rise for an on-demand bus service in Tauranga, despite its popularity, From 2025, the adult fare will be $5 per trip or $4 for those with a Bee Card up from $3.40 and $2.72 respectively.
KiwiRail announced the ‘normal schedule’ of freight trains would begin running between Whangarei and Auckland from December 2nd, limited test trains had been running along the North Auckland Line since the official reopening earlier this year.
French executives flying in over concerns about time and cost blowouts to Auckland’s $5.5b City Rail Link, a report has indicated a 50% likelihood the November 2025 completion date will be met.
An Otago Regional Councillor says Queenstown’s public transport system is being “set up to fail”, with the Government declining to fund an increase in ferry crossings and changing funding rules.
Hawke’s Bay public transport could be forced into ‘death spiral’ to allow council to meet new target, councillor says
People are hopping onto Auckland buses without paying thousands of times a day, most aren’t getting caught or punished, and three routes are being particularly affected.
The public release of a report that revealed a lack of confidence in a French construction firm’s forecasts on the $5.5 billion City Rail Link was a complete mistake, says Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson.
Auckland Transport has begun work to replace the lift on Railside Avenue in Henderson, the lift has been fenced off with information about the upgrade attached to the hoardings.
New rules, to be announced Monday, will make it easier for the private sector to pitch infrastructure ideas to Government — currently treated like a “hot potato” by the public service.
Once upon a time, Christchurch had one of New Zealand's most extensive tram networks. Now, only traces and tourist gimmicks remain.
As the country waits for the government to announce its plans for the interislander ferries, rail advocates fear that losing rail-enabled ferries could threaten the country’s ongoing ability to decarbonise transport.
Combining bike and bus is a part of everyday life in cities around the world, but a few weeks ago, this option was suddenly eliminated in Aotearoa. What are cyclists doing in the meantime, and when will there be a solution?
Canterbury’s $2 bus fares will become $8 if the Government’s latest transport request is followed to the letter, a regional councillor says.
Businesses in central Auckland are calling for an inquiry into Auckland Council's "incompetent" management of the City Rail Link project after a leaked document revealed it could face yet another delay.
After around 10 years of delays and frustration, Auckland Transport are finally going to make Gt North Rd greater.
The Government has announced it will reform the governance of transport in Auckland.
Spotted by Shaun Baker on X/Twitter, Auckland One Rail has launched the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme in Auckland, at Waitematā, Ōtāhuhu, Papakura, New Lynn and Panmure Stations staff will be available to help customers who are part of the programme.
Auckland Transport has worked with the Disability Advisory Panel to make progress on the AT Accessibility Action Plan.
Steps include:
Reducing the height of door sills
Installing extra handrails,
Including New Zealand Sign Language in on-board safety videos
Audio announcements have been rolled out on 1,228 buses
Drivers and ferry operators have received additional training this year to help them provide support to passengers with low vision.
This year, the Ministry of Education has reviewed 290 of its 1,990 school bus routes. Of those, 38 have been or will be cancelled.
In Masterton, KiwiRail is not far from completing civil works for Hillcrest and Cornwall Street level crossings, and works are underway at Kent Street in Carterton.
Auckland Transport will be stripped of its decision-making powers to focus on running public transport, while a new Regional Transport Committee will tackle policy and planning.
Man on a mission for electric ferries in Auckland says US ferry companies are watching.
Bus stop 7208 (Broadway/Clovernook Road) in Newmarket has been covered in a themed Auckland Transport Christmas wrap, the stop also features a button that can be pressed to hear festive tunes.
City Rail Link has been installing finishing touches like tiling and paving at Maungawhau Station, 55 pallets of tiles for the Western line and 81 pallets for the CRL platform have been craned down and are ready to be installed.
From 8 December, you will be able to pay a standard adult fare with contactless debit, credit card, mobile phone or smartwatch on Route 29 in Christchurch, the pilot will continue until Motu Move is rolled out in Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn in 2025.
Fullers360 chief executive Mike Horne says he has no concerns about plans to transfer some of Auckland Transport's functions to Auckland Council.
Tranzit Group has wrapped one of their buses for the TSB Festival of Lights, the colourful livery was created by artist Harris Keenan and depicts light artworks in this year’s Festival, and music, flora and fauna found at Pukekura Park.
The overhead line equipment on Platform 1 at Waitematā Station has been fully installed, this means both Platform 1 and 4 now have access to the overhead power supply past the end of the existing train line into the CRL tunnels.
In less than a week, the Government is set to reveal its long-awaited plan to replace the ageing Interislander ferry fleet.
A small area showcasing the area and station's history is set to open soon at Waitematā (Britomart) station, the area had been boarded off as part of electrification works for the CRL tunnels.
Buses will not be available for those planning to spend their New Year's Eve in Picton due to a scheduling clash with cruise ships visiting the region.
Waipā’s public transport services are getting a boost with two brand-new double-decker electric buses set to join the fleet, one of the buses is expected to hit the road next week.
While Spotify released their yearly wrapped on Thursday so did we, a huge thank you for your amazing support this year. Here's to an even better 2025!
The Government Minister overseeing the delivery of east Auckland’s largest transport infrastructure project says he has no doubt it will be completed on time.
Wellington commuters will benefit from a $137.2 million funding boost that will deliver long overdue upgrades to substations on the city’s metro rail network and improve the reliability of services, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.
Greater Wellington has shared a map showing the location of the new and replacement substations recently funded by the Government.
Peak-hour bus lanes will remain on Cranford Street, Councillors have approved keeping the peak-hour bus lanes on Cranford Street, following a recommendation from the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board.
Auckland Transport has shared more images of NB5006 in its Christmas Wrap which also extends inside the bus to the back of the seats and roof, NZ Transit Buzz also spotted single-decker bus NB4007 which has also received a matching wrap.
Auckland Council is calling for Auckland Transport to reevaluate after a proposal to significantly increase ferry fares next year.
Australian YouTuber Julian O'Shea has attempted to turn the sounds of public transport into a hit song.