Stranded rugby fans further embarrassment for rail

Some rugby fans at the Wallabies-All Blacks Bledisloe Cup clash at Eden Park were left fuming after a mechanical fault stranded them mid-journey for up to 30 minutes inside packed train carriages.

A fault in one train shuttling people from Eden Park to Britomart after the game on Saturday held up other trains on a similar route, causing a short journey to turn into an hour-long trip for fans who had heeded calls to use public transport.

The incident is another in a series of embarrassments for Auckland's rail system as the region gears up to host the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

Marketing manager Jo Dickson, who was in one of the affected carriages, said it was not a good look for rail travel. "It was unbelievable. It was the first time I've ever been on a train and it'd be the last time, too.

Another commuter said: "At no time were there loudspeaker announcements, and security staff couldn't answer questions and couldn't believe the chaos unfolding in front of them."

Tessa Marjoram, spokeswoman for rail operator Connex, said a "full recovery system" was in place following the breakdown at Newmarket, which had affected two other trains. It was an ageing fleet and breakdowns did happen.