Eden Park a training ground

Rugby fans leave Eden Park past the Kingsland Train Station. Photo / Michael Craig

Last night's Super Rugby showdown between the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park was a test match too.

Transport chiefs used it to test train and bus systems ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Ticket holders got free train travel to the stadium, and for the first time trains travelled in the same direction on both lines.

RWC transport programme director Bruce Barnard said the trial went well and systems would be tweaked over coming weeks. It took 35 minutes to move about 7000 people by train after the game, he said.

Auckland Transport expects about 15,000 train travellers for World Cup games.

Special trains operated between Britomart and Kingsland from 4.30pm to 11pm.

Fans arriving at Britomart were directed to waiting trains on three platforms which departed about every eight minutes.

Those heading home westward caught trains from Morningside. Britomart-bound supporters boarded at Kingsland.

Barnard said the aim for Cup games was to have trains departing both stations every five minutes.

James Hunter, 14, was at the Kiwis league game at Eden Park last November, which was marred by crowd and transport trouble. He said transport management was better last night.

Crusaders fans Te Aroha Looker, 22, and Amanda Jones, 21, both of Takanini, caught the train from a family party in Panmure.

They were slightly delayed but had no complaints, with a seamless transfer at Britomart.