Making public transport the easiest way to get to matches will be the key to moving fans to and from Eden Park during Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011).

The RWC 2011 Eden Park Transport Plan was released today and features a comprehensive range of transport options for fans to get to and from the stadium.

Auckland RWC 2011 Transport Director Bruce Barnard says the plan is designed to ensure public transport will be the most hassle free way to get to and from the games.

Barnard has successfully managed transport for major events such as the Australian Grand Prix and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Based on that experience, he believes Auckland’s transport system will be ready for the influx of RWC 2011 fans.

“Getting the transport right for RWC 2011 matches in Auckland is like any other major event. It is a numbers game,” Barnard says. “We know how many people we need to move, when we need to move them and how we will move them.”

“We are aiming to get 75% of people out of their cars for the finals and 60% for pool matches. We believe this is achievable based on other major events.”

Of the 60,000 fans expected to pack Eden Park for the Tournament’s biggest matches, Barnard says the majority will travel by train, bus or coach.

“In order for that to happen this plan makes public transport a priority. It includes dedicated Tournament rail and bus services, capacity for more than 80 coaches, restricted parking areas and extra taxi ranks, Barnard says.

“As an example, we will have nine 6-car trains lined up to transport fans from Kingsland to Britomart after matches. They will depart at five minute intervals giving us the ability to transport 15,000 fans to the city in just over an hour by rail.”

Meanwhile 84 buses will transport up to 7000 fans all around the region.

Barnard says Aucklanders use of public transport for major events is already changing.

“A couple of years ago just 1500 people used public transport to get to a Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park. Last year that figure was up to 12,000.”

The Eden Park Transport Plan has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders including Tournament organisers Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011).

“We want fans to have a top experience at Auckland’s RWC 2011 matches and the Eden Park transport plan will play a key part in contributing to this,” said RNZ 2011 Tournament Services General Manager Nigel Cass.

“We think Auckland has come up with a plan that will make a huge difference to getting the bulk of fans to and from Eden Park for RWC 2011 matches in a timely way.”

Barnard says the infrastructure upgrades needed to deliver the plan are well underway and on track for completion in time to test the plan in the lead up to RWC 2011.

Infrastructure upgrades in the Eden Park area include:

• Morningside Station upgrade (completed August 2009)
• Kingsland Station upgrade (to be completed July 2009)
• Eden Park bus terminal (included in Eden Park redevelopment to be completed October 2010)
• The link lane between Sandringham and Walters Rds (to be completed September  2010)
• Sandringham Rd realignment and bus lane (to be completed December 2010)

The infrastructure and service improvements being implemented for RWC 2011 will leave Aucklanders with an enhanced public transport system for the future.

To ensure public transport services are widely used for RWC 2011 matches, a comprehensive information campaign will be rolled out during the Tournament.

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