KEY POINTS:
It's the stuff Aucklanders dream about - a quick clear morning run into work free of jams or snarl ups.
And yesterday they got it. Traffic flows across the city were down markedly during the 7am to 9am peak period, with a 15 per cent decrease in peak hour traffic crossing the Harbour Bridge into the city, Transit said.
Northland operations manager Joseph Flanagan said that was a bigger decrease than expected. A lack of school traffic usually eased the pressure on the roads but that only accounted for between 5 and 10 per cent.
He said Christmas Day falling on a Thursday meant many families probably stole a march, leaving Auckland on Sunday for holiday destinations.
While numbers haven't been confirmed, anecdotally staff noticed greater than expected flows out of the city on State Highway 1, Mr Flanagan said.
As holiday traffic to Northland and Coromandel could increase normal volumes by up to 100 per cent, Mr Flanagan advised those going on long journeys to allow for more time on the road, and to make sure they took adequate breaks.
"It's all about looking after yourselves at this time of the year," he said.
Auckland Regional Transport Authority also reminded commuters that significant changes to bus, train and ferry services will be in place until the middle of January.
There will be no trains on the western line or between Britomart and Otahuhu until January 19, or on the eastern line through Glen Innes until January 5. These will be replaced by more than 60 buses to allow rail construction work on at least seven sites.
Buses on December 25, 26, 28 and January 1, 2, 4, and 11 will work to a Sunday timetable, with free services on Christmas Day. Many ferry services have reduced timetables until January 5.
