British star Ed Sheeran rocked the stage during his Loop Tour at Go Media Stadium on Friday night. Photo / Corey Fleming
British star Ed Sheeran rocked the stage during his Loop Tour at Go Media Stadium on Friday night. Photo / Corey Fleming
As thousands of people start heading into central Auckland for British star Ed Sheeran’s second tour show in the city, people who attended last night’s concert are warning fellow fans they may need to change their travel plans when heading home.
Auckland Transport has been promoting that ticket-holders can usebuses and rail replacement buses when travelling to and from the concert on both show days – yesterday and today.
However, some fans from last night’s show have described “hundreds” of people waiting for buses from the concert venue, Go Media Stadium in Penrose, and also at connecting stations, including downtown Auckland’s Britomart.
One woman said she and her family decided to take advantage of the free services and caught the bus to and from the concert.
However, when they arrived at Britomart in the CBD they found themselves among swarms of people trying to catch a bus to the North Shore.
Melissa, who did not want her surname published, said despite the special event transport put on by Auckland Transport, they failed to consider the connecting bus people would need to catch home to the North Shore from Britomart and did not put on any extra buses.
‘Absolutely ridiculous’ waiting times for buses
She said many people had to wait for buses that were not expected to arrive until 12.30am, 1.30am and 2am, as shown on the station screens providing real-time updates.
“We have a 16-year-old and a 14-year-old who were just very tired at that point. But there were kids 10 and under, easily.
Fans faced a long wait for connecting buses from Britomart to the North Shore after the Ed Sheeran concert last night. Photo / Supplied
“There was a long line in front of us and even more people behind us. We waited for 15 minutes before getting an Uber. But not everyone can do that.
“It was just frustrating because everyone was doing the right thing.”
The family paid $42 for an Uber trip to Constellation bus station, where they had parked. They got home about 1am.
Melissa said she wanted to warn people heading to tonight’s concert of what they may face after the show.
After the concert, some concertgoers arrived at Britomart in Auckland's CBD to find swarms of people trying to catch a bus to the North Shore. Photo / Supplied
“Maybe there’s someone at home who can pick you up.”
Other fans opted to get an Uber from the venue itself but that involved at least a 20-minute wait from nearby Rockfield Rd.
The Herald’s Varsha Anjali, who reviewed last night’s concert, said: “I tried to get a taxi, but they told me it would cost $120 to get to the CBD and they said they wouldn’t put the meter on.”
The Uber fare would have cost her $30 but there was a 20-minute wait.
