Auckland Transport apologises for delayed trains on busy night

Saturday, 16 February 2019

Services were delayed for Auckland train users coming home from events such as the Lantern Festival and Phoenix football game on Friday (file photo).

Auckland Transport has apologised for less than perfect services on Friday night, when thousands of people used trains to get to major events in the city.

Big crowds attended the Lantern Festival in Auckland Domain and the Wellington Phoenix football game at Eden Park, and AT encouraged people to use the trains to get to and from the events.

More than 23,500 people attended the football game.

However, train users took to social media to complain about the lack of services, delays and cancellations they experienced.

**READ MORE:

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One Twitter user wondered why AT had only one three-car train per 30 minutes on the western line when both events were happening.

They also said a train was cancelled - resulting in a 90-minute wait between trains.

People were encouraged by Auckland Transport to use trains to get to the Lantern Festival at Auckland Domain.

Another woman took to the AT Facebook page to say she experienced the worst service ever.

'We waited two hours for a train from Kingsland to Swanson and were told by AT staff that they had no idea about the event,' she wrote.

'Terrible planning. How did you not know that 20,000 people were attending that game and put on additional trains?

'I'm reluctant to use public transport ever again.'

AT spokesman Mark Hannan said there were a number of contributing factors to the problems on Friday night.

Hannan said extra trains were meant to run but there weren't enough drivers to do so.

An earlier fatality on the southern line, a freight train being on the line, the good weather and larger than expected crowds all contributed to the delays, he said.

'Yes it wasn't perfect. It was a wee bit strained and there were some delays and we apologise for that.

'It was a very busy night and I think more people went to the Phoenix match than expected.'

Hannah said about 5000 people had used the trains to get to the football game.

When asked if AT had received any complaints about Friday's service, he said there had been 'a little bit of rumbling on social media'.

The Lantern Festival continues on Saturday night, as well as a Blues vs Crusaders rugby game at Eden Park.

If no issues arose during the day, Hannan said 'everything should be fine'.

Hannan said Saturdays were usually a little quieter for trains and the numbers attending the rugby game wouldn't be as high as those who attended the football game.