Back on track: Trains in Auckland pick up speed after all services were previously suspended

Auckland Transport (AT) announces that its train network is back in operation following an earlier service-wide suspension.

Due to track damage and industrial action, all train services in Auckland have been suspended, although Auckland Transport said it hopes to resume services in time for the evening rush hour.

In the meantime, buses were running as rail replacement services.

Auckland Transport rail franchise manager Craig Inger said in a statement that services resumed at around 2.15pm.

This comes after “a problem with the track infrastructure at Middlemore was exacerbated by ongoing industrial action this morning, resulting in the temporary suspension of all services earlier today.”

“The track problem occurred around 7:30 a.m. and initially only resulted in the closure of the Eastern Line,” said Inger.

“The issue was resolved by KiwiRail shortly before 10am. However, Auckland One Rail train crew have been made redundant as a result of the disruption and unionised staff are not working on modified schedules outside of their main duty roster.

“This means that Auckland One Rail was unable to operate train services from approximately 10:30am.”

Inger said that although operations have resumed, delays and cancellations are still to be expected.

“Industrial action is taking place and further disruptions may occur throughout the afternoon and evening. The ‘Live Departures’ and ‘Timetable Information’ will be kept up to date with the latest information on services operating.

“We know this disruption is extremely frustrating for our customers and we want a resolution to this industrial action as quickly as possible.”

An AT spokesman said the fault occurred near Middlemore at around 7.30am. AT then warned of “significant delays” for commuters.

“The Eastern Line has been temporarily suspended and further disruption is expected on all rail routes as staff are made redundant (as a result of this morning’s delays/cancellations) and industrial action continues,” the spokesman said this morning.

Two railbuses replaced trains on the Eastern Line and two more supported trains on the Southern Line to provide an alternative mode of transport during the service disruption. KiwiRail worked to resolve the issue.

Those who must use public transport are instructed to use the route planner to find scheduled bus connections, he said.

AT’s website stated that the disruption had caused delays and cancellations on the Southern and Western lines.

After passengers were stranded at Newmarket station due to the unexpected disruption, they began to queue.

KiwiRail said the track problem was a “switch fault,” meaning the mechanism that switches trains between different tracks. A spokesman said the switches had been repaired.

Today’s delay was another disruption for commuters on Auckland’s public transport.

Last Monday, trains only ran every 20 minutes because union members refused to work overtime or change their schedules as part of their industrial action.

“Auckland One Rail has been engaged in collective bargaining negotiations with the Rail and Maritime (Transport) Union of New Zealand and we are disappointed that industrial action has occurred, affecting many of our customers,” Inger said.