Traffic is free flowing into Wellington, congestion is mostly centred around Porirua and Lower Hutt as people start their commute into the capital.
Wellington risks grinding to a halt this morning as a 24-hour train strike forces tens of thousands of people to find another way to work.
Traffic is now congested on a number of sections across Wellington's motorway heading into early morning rush hour.
Wellington's usually bustling train station is at a standstill during rush hour. Photo / Frances Cook
By 6.45am the New Zealand Transport Agencysaid SH1 was crawling between Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay, at the Tawa-Johnsonville interchange and along Aotea Quay.
Train workers and union supporters are protesting outside the Wellington rail station. Photo / Frances Cook
Workers employed by Transdev Wellington and Hyundai Rotem on Wellington's passenger rail network voted overwhelmingly in favour of stopping work for 24 hours from 2am on Thursday to protest the breakdown of contract talks.
There will be no train services and Metlink, which runs the region's public transport network, say there will be no replacement buses either. On a regular weekday in Wellington more than 30,000 passenger journeys are by train.
The strike will be the biggest to hit Wellington's rail system since 1994.
Thursday 16 November - No Metlink train services due to a full-day strike https://t.co/0sVHmW7EGT
The strike also poses a challenge for high school students facing exams today.
Wellington trains are not running tomorrow. Affected students will need to make alternative travel arrangements to get to their exam/s. Speak to your school if this will be a problem. More info here:https://t.co/zHhs91z0WF
It says the coffee's for anyone who rides their bike and avoids "trainageddon".
Wellington Airport said people should allow for extra time to get to the airport while the strike is on.
POSSIBLE TRAVEL DELAY TO AIRPORT: Due to a 24-hour worker strike, no trains will be operational in Wellington, Thursday 16 November from 2 am. Please take extra time to get to the airport. Check with Metlink for details https://t.co/mK9ZUSdcRT
Wellington City Council's parking services manager Brendan Jelley says that since the Kaikoura earthquake the reduction in off-street parks has further increased the pressure on the council's limited on-street spaces.
"People wanting to park for longer than two hours should look for off-street options or use coupon parking on the fringes of the city."
His advice is to not bring a car into Wellington if you don't have pre-arranged parking. On the Wellington LIVE Facebook and Metlink Facebook pages, there were a number of unhappy commuters, who will work from home or look to travel in earlier by car.
In reply to one commuter's question about car parking, Greater Wellington Regional Council - who run Metlink - advised to carpool.
Mōrena #WgtnTraffic! There are no train services in the Wgtn region today. HEAVY CONGESTION is expected so please be patient, especially during peak. If you're heading to the CBD & interested in ETAs use the link to find your nearest clock symbol https://t.co/zpxcJ066iz. ^IF pic.twitter.com/goNh8458jP
Hutt South MP Chris Bishop even took to Facebook offering people a life into Wellington this morning:
"Who needs a lift? No trains and buses tomorrow and limited parking in town. I'll be leaving Petone at 6.15am so if you'd like a lift please message me. First in first served. I have four spaces. Going from Richmond St Petone to Parliament. I can pick people up from Petone or you can meet at my place."
One commuter, Erin Wellum, said, "I hope the negotiations work out for the rail workers and they get to keep their current contract conditions but I can't help feeling for the people who won't get paid at all if they can't get in to work on Thursday."
In response to a question about refunding a day from regular users' monthly passes, GWRC said: "Sorry but our policy is that we are unable to provide refunds for events beyond our control, such as strikes."
Students sitting exams need to factor train cancellations and road congestion into their travel plans - as should people travelling to Wellington Hospital or Wellington airport. Rubbish collection in the city's southern suburbs will be done earlier in the morning than normal, WCC say.
