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For the two days after Auckland Anniversary Weekend, the city’s train network is closing for the first full trial of the new post-City Rail Link timetable, says Auckland Transport (AT).
“The milestone test will help ensure reliable, seamless services from the first day of CRL opening.
“Bus replacements will be very busy, so AT is asking commuters to plan their journeys and consider alternatives after the long weekend.”
On Tuesday and Wednesday, January 27-28, 84 trains – the most ever run across Auckland’s metro network – will put the CRL’s high-frequency timetable to the “ultimate test in one of its biggest milestones before opening later this year”, says AT.
For the first time trains will run through the CRL tunnels and right across the network, to ensure the CRL performs as designed and the new timetable is reliable.
“Up until now, we’ve only tested around the inner-city loop, but running so many trains right across the network is very different,” says Stacey van der Putten, AT’s public transport and active modes director.
“Years of planning and modelling have gone into developing the new timetable, but real-world testing often throws up variables we can’t predict.
“Seeing it put into practice will be extremely exciting and a little nerve-wracking.
“We’re also aiming to simulate real operations including peak and off-peak timetables and how AT trains will operate alongside KiwiRail freight trains.
“Carrying out these tests now gives us time to resolve any issues before we open the CRL and launch our new network later this year,” says van der Putten.
AT says the CRL will bring “big benefits” for rail users with better connections and faster journeys.
Testing allows KiwiRail, AT, City Rail Link Ltd and operator Auckland One Rail to confirm the new timetable works, as it does in computer simulations.
“All train services on the timetable are changing to new routes, and there will be more services in total – with most passing through the CRL,” says van der Putten.
“We need to see how everything functions before opening to the public. We’ll be checking for potential issues and delays, ensuring trains stop at the right place for the right amount of time, and monitoring what happens if there’s a problem somewhere on the network.”
Customer information will also be tested. Trains’ digital signs will show the new line names; East West, South City, and Onehunga West, while station information displays will also be tested for the new services.
“We’ve talked about 16,000 tests in total, and this is one of the biggest to make sure we can reliably run the new timetable with more trains, more often, on a much better-connected network,” says van der Putten.
KiwiRail will monitor the testing from the Auckland Rail Operations Centre, with rapid-response staff ready at key locations to fix issues as quickly as possible.
Travel during the rail tests
While people will be able to see trains moving across the network, all AT rail services and stations will be closed.
“We know this will be inconvenient for those who rely on train travel, including those returning from summer breaks,” says van der Putten.
“We need to do this testing on weekdays, during the day, to have enough train drivers and train managers available, with more than 280 people required to simulate two days of full operation.”
Rail replacement buses will be running but are expected to be very busy, she says.
AT is urging people to arrive early and allow lots of extra time as there are likely to be queues.
AT is encouraging people to use the AT Journey Planner ahead of travel to check out the rail bus timetable, as well as their local regularly scheduled bus services.
“We’re running as many bus services as we can, with a 10-minute frequency for the Southern, Eastern, and Western Lines during peak periods,” says van der Putten.
“However, capacity is limited, and we know many people are returning to work and school on these days.
“This means rail buses will be full so if you can catch a regularly scheduled bus or even travel outside peak hours, this will help spread demand.”
AT reminds that even though passenger trains will be unavailable, trains will still be travelling across the train network and passing through road and pedestrian level crossings.
“For your safety, always stop to check both ways for trains before crossing the tracks. Stay alert to stay safe.”
