Auckland Transport (AT) warns that up to one-third of train services could be cancelled during peak hours starting from 3pm today due to restrictions on the city’s rail network.
The disruption is being blamed on heat affecting the rail lines and other factors, could extend through summer and into March.
Yesterday, 80 train services were cancelled for various reasons including heat, temporary speed restrictions, a shortage of train managers, and activated passenger alarms.
The heat causes the steel in rail lines to expand, necessitating slower speeds and thus fewer services.
Stacey van der Putten, AT’s director of public transport told state-subsidised media outlet NZ Herald that while off-peak train frequencies are unaffected, peak hour services require ‘adjustments’.
KiwiRail and Auckland Transport are working to manage the situation, with ongoing heat restrictions and a significant network upgrade underway to prepare for the City Rail Link operations. Mayor Wayne Brown has called for a meeting with transport leaders to address the frequent disruptions and find solutions to restore public confidence.
What a load of rubbish.
Honestly New Zealand has turned into a third world country. Our public transport is Sh1t, the roads are sh1t, and our public service has forgotten what the word SERVICE means.
Wish I was younger and then I would LEAVE.
Sounds to me someone coped a back hander to buy cheap Chinese crap steel rails. I lived in Canada for a while 30 degrees + 30 degrees – no problem for trains to run on those rails???