World Cup organisers aim for hassle free world cup transport

Hassle-free public transport will mean up to 75 per cent of Auckland drivers leaving their cars at home during next year's Rugby World Cup. Photo / Martin Sykes

Hassle-free public transport will mean up to 75 per cent of Auckland drivers leaving their cars at home during next year's Rugby World Cup at Eden Park, according to a transport plan released today.

The Rugby World Cup 2011 Transport Plan features a range of transport options to make public transport as hassle-free as possible.

Transport director Bruce Barnard said getting transport right was a numbers game.

"We know how many people we need to move, when we need to move them and how we will move them. We are aiming to get 75 per cent of people out of their cars for the finals and 60 per cent for pool matches."

Mr Barnard has managed transport for major events like the Australian Grand Prix and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and said the figures were achievable based on other major events.

There are 60,000 fans expected at Eden Park for the biggest games.

There will be 84 buses transporting up to 7000 fans all around the region and trains travelling between Britomart and key suburbs like Kingsland at five minute intervals.

Mr Barnard said Aucklanders use of public transport was already changing.

"A couple of years ago just 1500 people used public transport to get to a Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park. Last year the figure was up to 12,000."

"The infrastructure upgrades needed to deliver the plan are well underway and on track for completion," Mr Barnard said.

Infrastructure upgrades in the Eden Park area include:

- Morningside Station upgrade (completed August 2009)

- Kingsland Station upgrade (to be completed July 2009)

- Eden Park bus terminal (included in Eden Park redevelopment to be completed October 2010)

- The link lane between Sandringham and Walters Rds (to be completed September 2010)

- Sandringham Rd realignment and bus lane (to be completed December 2010)

Planning team spokesperson Joanne Perry said $95m had been earmarked for Rugby World Cup projects with about $55m to be spent on infrastructure and transport.

"We are hoping to test the upgrades leading up to the Rugby World Cup at upcoming rugby league matches later in the year and Super 15 games next year."

- NZPA