Tag: Rail

Works on Parnell Station to Continue

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Opening 2017

From Auckland Transport

Preparation work underway for the Parnell station

Earthworks have begun at the site of the new Parnell train station.

In February, the board of Auckland Transport approved the $6 million station, off Cheshire Street.

The work currently underway includes earthworks to allow the platform to be installed. These are planned for completion by August.

Meanwhile, KiwiRail is working to engage contractors to complete the design and refurbishment of the former Newmarket station building and provide for its relocation to Parnell. This is due for completion by late 2015. AT will then commence fit-out work.

The opening and operation of the new station is aligned to the closure of Sarawia Street level crossing, near Newmarket. That crossing is due for closure by June 2017 but is subject to planning processes.

A station at Parnell is forecast to be used by up to 2000 passengers during the morning peak with many of them heading to the nearby universities. It will also be used by people attending events in the Domain and at the ASB Tennis Stadium, and the Parnell community.

The new station will have two platforms, ticket machines and CCTV.  Future stages may include an overbridge, lifts and enhanced access through the Domain.

Waitemata Local Board chairman Shale Chambers says a station at Parnell is highly anticipated by local residents and the wider community. “It’ll be a great additional to Parnell not only providing opportunities for local businesses but making it easier to live, work and play in the area.”

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Unacceptable By All Grounds – Open Full Public Inquiry Needed

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This story should not be occurring if Auckland Transport and Transdev Got Their Acts Together

I was shown this earlier today:

Train services leave Pukekohe commuter in tears

Posted On 10 Apr 2015 By :

A Pukekohe commuter has been left alone at night and in tears over delays involving Auckland Transport.

Kristie Weeks travels the Southern Line from Pukekohe to Britomart fives days a week. On Friday March 13th, Kristie caught her usual 5.18pm service home to Pukekohe.

After further delays the train reached Takanini and passengers were told the train would be terminating at Papakura and taxi vans would be arranged to take them rest of the way to Pukekohe.

Only two taxi vans had been arranged and Kristie was left in tears, alone in an unfamiliar place at night. With no seats left she was told she would need to make her own way home.

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The same incident happened the following Monday, fortunately, Kristie was able to get a seat on the taxi van that night.  More train delays and terminations continued throughout the week, leaving Kristie and other passengers sitting at a standstill for more than two hours due to broken trains ahead.

……..

Media Relations Manager for Auckland Transport, Mark Hannan, told We Love Pukekohe that this is unacceptable.

“There should have been replacement transport available for all passengers, and we apologise if this wasn’t the case. Transdev (Auckland) is investigating and are now contacting staff who worked those shifts.”

There has been no response since from Transdev to We Love Pukekohe’s request for comment.

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Source and full post: http://welovepukekohe.com/pukekohe-tears-fro-train-commuter/

That just strengthens my call for Auckland Council to conduct a full and open public inquiry into our metro rail network. Do the inquiry of confidence and faith grounds especially as patronage grows but that growth is at risk from confidence issues.

The last four weeks with rail failures are unacceptable and both Transdev insofar as their management and control room, and Auckland Transport need to lift their game. We do not need “accidents” owing to their respective failures like Pukekohe.