For the third day running, KiwiRail imposed temporary speed restrictions on the network today, with AT saying train services would be affected.
The mayor added that Auckland One Rail, the operator of Auckland’s Metro Rail Network, would resolve crew shortages by March 11 this year.
A joint Auckland Rail Operation Centre would then be opened on March 14, where all parties involved in running Auckland’s rail network would locate to allow better collaboration.
All agencies were asked to consider whether temporary adjustments to train timetables are required to ensure “reliable and predictable services so Aucklanders can have confidence in transport timetables”.
Mayor Brown noted AT would develop better ‘customer-centric metrics’ for the rail system to understand the performance of the network and the impact of delays on customers.
All parties had agreed to adopt ‘joined-up communication’ to customers.
The Mayor also noted the recent review into KiwiRail’s handling of recent disruptions to passenger services, which found that governance arrangements for metropolitan rail lines were insufficiently integrated across rail participants.
The report found that there was a need for a collaborative, aligned governance group focused on delivering excellent services.
Brown said the meeting was productive and “went surprisingly well.
“I have detailed my expectations and we will be hauling them in again in a week’s time to make sure things are being fixed. I thank Aucklanders for their patience and I look forward to things improving, fast,” he said.
The Mayor said Transport Minister Simeon Brown had also been clear he wants Auckland’s transport issues fixed.
”I am thankful for the minister’s support and look forward to working together to bring better transport to Aucklanders,” he said.
Brown told Newstalk ZB earlier today the rail bosses would be getting a “bloody good bollocking” during the meeting.
This morning there was further disruption on the city’s passenger rail network, as all trains running on the Western Line between Britomart and Newmarket were cancelled until further notice due to “infrastructure issues” at Britomart Station. Services have since resumed.
Onehunga Line services were also cancelled between Newmarket and Penrose, but have resumed.
Commuters were told to expect further delays and cancellations to Southern and Eastern Line services. At 10am, AT said train services across the network were experiencing delays of up to 20 minutes.
Yesterday, AT said potentially one in three train services will be cancelled and the commuter chaos could continue until March.
AT director of public transport Stacey van der Putten said trains had not stopped, but potentially every third train would be cancelled at peak hours.
Trains throughout Auckland this week have been disrupted due to “heat” on the tracks and causing significant disruption to rush-hour commuters.
Van der Putten said off-peak trains ran at a frequency that was not affected by the restrictions, but during the peak hours when trains are running every 10 minutes, the services had to be staggered.
KiwiRail general manager metros Jon Knight said there had been varying amounts of heat-speed restrictions on parts of the Auckland metro network every day since its January 15 reopening.
Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He has worked for the Herald since 2022.
Racher Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.
