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Home / New Zealand

First night Rugby World Cup failures laid bare

Isaac Davison
By Isaac Davison
Senior Reporter, Health·NZ Herald·
14 Sep, 2011 05:30 PM4 mins to read

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The transport and crowd control mishaps on Friday were laid bare in three reports released yesterday by the council, Auckland Transport, and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The transport and crowd control mishaps on Friday were laid bare in three reports released yesterday by the council, Auckland Transport, and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Officials have recommended free semifinal tickets for disgruntled fans, 100 more buses, and increased security on trains and tracks to resolve the Rugby World Cup's opening night failures.

The transport and crowd control mishaps on Friday were laid bare in three reports released yesterday by the council, Auckland Transport, and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development.

The reports praised the mostly well-behaved, bumper crowds at Eden Park and the waterfront, and the first back-to-back use of North Harbour Stadium.

But the central focus of the documents was the lowlights, in particular public transport and overcrowding on the waterfront.

"It is now clear that the provision of on-site services on Quay St were short of that required for the crowd volumes that eventuated. On transport, the disappointment was after three years of planning, a very successful final Bledisloe Cup run-through ... we experienced failures."

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Auckland Transport said it had been advised that 30,000 to 50,000 were anticipated in the CBD for pre-match celebrations. The final number was believed to be 200,000.

Ateed and Auckland Transport identified a number of issues and has detailed the plans it has put in place for remaining matches.

Buses

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Problems: After train cancellations, the 31 backup buses were too few to clear the backlog at Britomart and other stations. The buses were also poorly synchronised with rail services.

Changes: Auckland Transport will launch a new service of 60 buses which run from Britomart to Eden Park on match days. On top of this, 40 more buses will provide backup for stranded trains and all stations along the line.

Ferries

Problems: Severe crowd control problems forced the closure of the downtown ferry terminal.

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12 Sep 09:13 PM
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Changes: The paths for disembarking passengers will be better protected during match days and events.

Trains

Problems: Auckland Transport was told by World Cup organisers that 30,000 to 50,000 were expected at waterfront events. Around 200,000 turned up, and twice as many people as predicted chose to catch a train.

Auckland Transport said Britomart and other stations were so full that there was a risk of people spilling onto the tracks.

A list of rail incidents reported by Veolia on Friday painted a chaotic picture. Several people collapsed on trains, a fire extinguisher was used inside a carriage, and two people were caught riding on the outside of a locomotive. All of these incidents caused delays for packed services.

Passengers on overheating, uncomfortable trains were also left in the dark about delays, or where they could go once trains were cancelled.

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Changes: Auckland Transport has confirmed security will be beefed up for remaining matches and other events. More guards on trains will try to prevent unnecessary use of the emergency stop button, and greater security will be at all stations.

The full range of transport options - walking, public transport, taxi and driving - will be better communicated, and any problems will be relayed through all communications points on trains and at platforms. Thirty radios have been ordered to improve communication between drivers and train managers.

Veolia has also pledged to limit train loads and set air conditioning on carriages at its lowest levels if crowds are large.

Waterfront

Problems: ATEED said the number of people heading to the waterfront exceeded its capacity, which had been estimated at roughly 100,000. Queens Wharf numbers were not limited because there was no ticketing system.

The CCO said the expansion plan for the waterfront did not work, and when two big screens at the eastern end failed, crowds were pushed to the already crowded western end.

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The report also said there were only 262 public toilets for the huge crowd, and not enough rubbish bins.

Changes: The Government has moved to free up more space to create a new fan zone on Captain Cook Wharf. It is considering building a new stage for bands to perform on this site. Another fan zone at Silo Park in Wyndham Quarter is also being considered.

Big screens will be tested before their arrival at the waterfront, and crowds will be restricted until they are confirmed to be working.

ATEED will increase the amount of toilets, cleaning and signage in Quay St and nearby.

Compensation

Problem: Up to 2000 fans missed the opening ceremony, part of the match or the entire match at Eden Park through transport problems.

Recommendation: Auckland Council CEO Doug McKay suggested fans who missed the opening ceremony and part of the match should get free tickets to an All Black quarter-final, and fans who missed the entire match should get tickets to a (possible) All Black semi.

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