Shopping Made (somewhat) easier)

 

This deserves a big share around.

Auckland Transport have announced as well flyer bombed an alternative way to get to our shopping malls before Christmas. Take the train.

From Auckland Transport:

Source: https://at.govt.nz/shopping

For Albany Mall it can be accessed relatively easy by the NEX and Northern Busway.

 

A good idea by Auckland Transport although there are some short comings to this in itself. Partly by Auckland Transport and partly by the malls in themselves. As Transport Blog noted a home delivery service would provide an advantage and a competitive edge because even lugging the shopping to the car is a pain any way especially if you want to go to the movies at the same time on the trip. The other disadvantage for Southern Auckland is the lack of the Manukau South Link which would allow direct Papakura to Manukau services without the cumbersome transfers at Puhinui. That disadvantage is going to become more acute over the next few years as the Takanini Motorway Interchange gets upgraded disrupting traffic including the Great South Road buses. Furthermore by EMU it would have taken 14mins from Papakura to Manukau via the South Link, 28mins by bus providing you don’t get snagged and about the same time by car at this time of year.

So again AT dropping the ball.

 

Also please note this for post Christmas:

Thursday 25 December 2014 to Sunday 4 January 2015:
Full network closure – a bus replacement service will operate on all lines.  This is to allow for significant track maintenance at Newmarket, Penrose, Westfield, Wiri and Papakura, sleeper replacement on the Eastern Line, station work at Otahuhu and NZTA motorway work at Takanini and Ellerslie.

Monday 5 January to Sunday 11 January 2015:
Buses replace trains on the Western Line.  Normal train services will operate on all other lines.  This is to allow for track upgrades at Morningside and Kingdon Street and sleeper replacement works at level crossings.

Rail buses:

For more information on rail bus services, including rail bus stop locations:

• Please click here

Please note: Buses cannot accommodate bikes, scooters or large personal items.

…..

Source: https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/service-announcements/future-works-on-the-auckland-rail-network/

 

So if shopping or taking a leisure trip to a mall? Think about taking the train or the bus.