Auckland train delays: Eastern, Southern Line services face cancellations due to ‘overhead line issue’

Aucklanders are being warned of significant delays on two train lines this afternoon, ahead of rush hour on the first day back to school and university for many. Photo / File

Aucklanders are being warned of significant delays on two train lines this afternoon, ahead of rush hour on the first day back to school and university for many.

Auckland Transport (AT) said an overhead powerline issue would interrupt Eastern and Southern Line services.

It comes as AT seeks the public’s input on the proposed Regional Public Transport Plan 2023-2031, which will extend Auckland’s frequent transit network to cover 60 per cent of residents.

The city’s transport board told commuters to check train line statuses before travelling.

The overhead line issue was between Ōtāhuhu and Penrose and will mean trains will be using the “down main” track between those two stations, AT said.

Due to an overhead line issue between Otahuhu and Penrose, delays and cancellations are expected on Eastern and Southern lines.
Southern line services from Papakura to Britomart will be using the down main between Otahuhu and Penrose.
Check train line status before you travel. pic.twitter.com/hU36t9BcPO

— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) July 17, 2023

AT seeks public’s input on public transport plan

AT’s proposed Regional Public Transport Plan 2023-2031 (RPTP) aims to “massively increase public transport use to reduce congestion, improve access for Aucklanders [and] support the economy and enhance the environment”.

AT’s executive general manager of public transport services, Stacey van der Putten, said Aucklanders should have their say about how people travel around the city.

“The [RPTP] outlines how we will manage and improve public transport over the next eight years,” van der Putten said.

“[It includes] the services that will operate during this time; the goals, policies, and actions that will shape public transport; and how we will monitor the performance of the public transport system,” she said.

The proposed plan would increase the percentage of Aucklanders who were living “within” a frequent transit network, van der Putten said.

“Under this proposal, we will see [about] 60 per cent of the Auckland population living within a frequent transit network. Right now it’s circa 40 per cent.”

More than 2000 people have already told AT their views through workshops, with the current bus driver shortage and associated cancellations one of the key issues.

AT head of integrated network planning Andrew McGill said they heard “common themes, and we’ve developed proposals to tackle them”.

Adding more frequent services, speeding up travel times, making fares cheaper, and creating a low-carbon system were other issues AT heard.