Buses to replace trains

Herald file photo

Buses will be replacing train services in Wellington and Auckland over the holiday period in order to allow for upgrade work.

Services between Wellington and Johnsonville, Wellington and Upper Hutt, Wellington and Paraparaumu, Wellington and Melling, will all be replaced by rail buses from December 26 and January 2 to allow for upgrade work on the network and the Wellington rail yard.

TranzMetro said unfortunately bikes cannot be carried on buses replacing trains and some delays should be expected over this period.

Auckland's train services are all disrupted for more than two weeks from Christmas day to allow for the electrification of the network.

The operation will affect not only train passengers, but also motorists who will have to avoid closed road bridges and Pukekohe residents living along the route of trucks carrying freight from the town's rail yards to Auckland.

No trains will run anywhere in Auckland until January 10, when passenger services will resume on the western railway line only. The southern, eastern and Onehunga lines will open a week later on January 17.

- NZHERALD STAFF