Train breakdown causes chaos for Auckland commuters

Train breakdown on Auckland's western line caused havoc for commuters.

A woman had to be treated by an ambulance this morning after a train breakdown on Auckland's western line forced commuters to pack in "like sardines".

Passenger Tracey Bond said passengers were "absolutely crammed" into the delayed train service. "We were packed in like sardines."

The two-carriage train - which left New Lynn station 15 minutes late at 8.28am -- was so full a passenger collapsed, needing ambulance attention.

"It was chaos, it would've been nice if they'd made some announcements," she said.

"Then we were all stuck in Baldwin Avenue waiting, but there were no announcements."

Passengers piled out onto the platform to wait, but weren't told what the problem was, she said.

Auckland Transport media relations manager Mark Hannan confirmed a train had broken down on the western line.

"We had a train break down early in the morning, and we had to use another train to recover that train and then to make matters worse, we did have some rather full services and a customer fainted and that service was delayed for 20 minutes while we called an ambulance."

However, things were now "back to normal" with no delays, he said.

"We apologise to customers for any issues."

St John spokeswoman Victoria Hawkins said emergency services were called by a passenger at 8.36am after a 20-year-old female fainted.

The ambulance arrived at the Baldwin Avenue station 11 minutes later.

Ms Hawkins said there was confusion at the scene as the woman did not speak much English. She said the woman had a minor medical ailment and declined St John's advice to be taken to hospital.