Auckland traffic woes: Rail and sea commuters face disruptions

A toppled tree is causing major disruption on Auckland's train network at morning rush hour. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A tree fallen over tracks close to Auckland's Britomart Station forced the temporary closure of a line and rail commuters warned they would face a longer journey to work this morning.

All services on the Onehunga line were temporarily suspended at 6.40am and Auckland Transport warned those heading into the CBD on the western and southern lines to expect delays and cancellations during morning rush.

Auckland Transport tweeted that the tree was partially blocking the line at Parnell.

TRAIN SUSPENDED ON THE ONEHUNGA LINE - 6:40AM
Due to a tree partially blocking the line at Parnell, Onehunga line services are not running btwn Penrose & Britomart. A rail shuttle is in place btwn Onehunga & Penrose.
Expect some delays & cancellations to Western, Southern trains pic.twitter.com/dcVwv5aYQI

— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) June 28, 2020

Auckland Transport said a rail shuttle was taking passengers by bus between Penrose and Britomart.

Workers cleared the tree from the tracks with the trains resuming from Onehunga at 7.15am and from Britomart at 7.18am.

Auckland Transport said there would be ongoing delays and cancellations and apologised for the inconvenience.

And commuters heading into the city by sea this morning from Gulf Harbour also face disruptions due to adverse forecast weather.

Auckland Transport says because of expected deteriorating conditions in the Waitemata Harbour all Gulf Harbour ferry services from 7am would be replaced by road.

GULF HARBOUR FERRY SERVICE CANCELLED - MONDAY 29 JUNE
Please be advised that due to forecasted weather conditions for Monday 29th June 2020 ALL Gulf Harbour ferry services from 7:00am will be replaced by a bus service. pic.twitter.com/fccc9HQ3Z3

— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) June 28, 2020