World Cup transport: Minor delays

People traveling to the game and Party Central have heeded the warning against being 'last minute merchants'. Photo / Alan Gibson

19:56pm: Public transport services in Auckland have only hit minor delays as kick off approaches for tonight's sellout All Black-France match.

Auckland Transport spokesman Wally Thomas said about 32,000 of the 60,000 strong crowd had got to the game at Eden Park by 7:45pm.

About 9000 of those had walked the 'fan trail' from the central city.

Mr Thomas said most train and bus services were running on time. Some had encountered delays of "a few minutes", he said.

"It's all going according to plan. Big numbers have moved into the park early. Trains and buses are all being well used."

19:17pm: Public transport is so far coping as thousands of people stream to Auckland's waterfront and Eden Park for tonight's All Blacks-France game.

A sell out crowd of 60,000 is set to be at the ground to see the much-awaited match at 8pm and thousands more are expected to watch on giant screens at Queens Wharf.

They are expected to test a public transport system that has come under heavy criticism since massive delays plagued the opening night of the World Cup.

Auckland Transport spokeswoman Sharon Hunter said while buses from North Shore were packed, trains were only moderately full at most places around Auckland at 5:30pm.

Services were most under pressure between the central Britomart transport centre and the suburb of Kingsland, she said.

Ms Hunter said the change was part because those traveling to town or the match had heeded a warning against being "last minute merchants".

"Because we're such a small population we rock up to things at the last minute. You have to take more time. People seem to be heeding that warning so far."

Hundreds of people have already arrived at Eden Park ready for gates to open at 6pm.
Roads around the ground were mostly clear.

Auckland Rugby World Cup spokesman Simon Roche said 'Party Central' at Queens Wharf was not full at about 5:20pm.

He said a spill area at Cooks Wharf was ready to be opened once crowds built up.