KEY POINTS:
Auckland train users have been left stranded for the second time in a week after another signals failure on the Western line.
Ontrack spokesman Kevin Ramshaw said work was being carried out on the railway line last night but the fault had not yet been found.
Asked if the line would be back up and running by peak-time this afternoon, Mr Ramshaw said: "Without knowing what the fault is, it's a little hard to say but I would certainly hope so."
The fault controls the signals to let the train drivers know the line is free and is necessary for safety.
"The alternative is to do it by hand but you would need a cumbersome staff or to have a different system of occupation of the track," Mr Ramshaw said.
The signal failure happened about 4.45am and is affecting the line between Boston Rd and Avondale.
Auckland Regional Transport Authority spokeswoman Sharon Hunter said bus services were brought in for the Western line.
Two train passengers have told nzherald.co.nz that passengers were told of the failure this morning and to find their own means of getting into town.
Passengers faced a delay of hours last Tuesday when another signals failure interrupted all lines coming into Britomart.
Passengers complained to nzherald.co.nz that despite being delayed by two hours, there was no refund given.
ARTA is the local authority charged with getting Aucklanders out of their cars and onto public transport. Ms Hunter said despite the signal failures, passenger numbers are still increasing.
"But of course it is a concern, in terms of what ARTA is trying to do, so yes, we're talking to Ontrack about this issue," she said.
- NZHERALD STAFF
