ARC transport chief stuck on train

Auckland Regional Council transport chairwoman Christine Rose was hit by problems some commuters are all too familiar with - being stuck on a broken train for more than two hours.

Ms Rose and about 15 other passengers felt the train to Helensville come to a halt just past Huapai, and were unable to leave because of health and safety rules.

Despite offering to don her high-visibility cycling jacket, and sign a "health and safety" disclaimer, she was unable to talk her way off the train to arrange for her family to take her the rest of the way home to Waimauku.

"We're getting claustrophobic in here - it's so frustrating," she told the Herald in a phone call from the train, which she understood had problems with its brakes with about 15 passengers on board.

"We are within spitting distance of Huapai, but we're not allowed out."

She admitted to being part of an attempted unauthorised break for freedom, which the train crew foiled by locking the doors.Mathew Dearnaley