Metlink staff were on the platforms at Wellington’s train station handing out advice on how to get home – and free lollies.
Though crowds did form on the platforms, most commuters boarded their trains within ten minutes. The network operator has said Wellington’s trains will be back to normal by Thursday but there are still two days of reduced service to go.
Metlink general manager Samantha Gain warned that passengers were not out of the woods yet. “We have still got Tuesday and Wednesday’s reduced services to get through,” she said. Every day of the disrupted service will see 182 services cancelled, a timetable reduction of 49%.
Metlink was forced to rush out the reduced timetables after Kiwirail announced its only rail inspection car was broken in Auckland, leading to a 70kph blanket speed reductions starting Monday as Wellington’s train line inspections became overdue.
The Government has now launched a rapid review into KiwiRail after major travel disruption in Wellington. The Melling line is entirely cancelled for the week, but shuttle buses will be available as a replacement.
Credit: stuff.co.nz
