Aucklanders are being advised to travel home from work early today ahead of the forecasted heavy rain.
The city’s transport network was operational as of 2pm today with remaining road closures and reduced service frequency on public transport services.
Auckland Transport (AT) says it urges residents to take “extreme care” when travelling on the network, consider whether their travel is necessary and plan their full journey.
AT interim chief executive Mark Lambert says with the heavy rain warning for this afternoon and overnight, Aucklanders should make plans to travel home early to avoid it.
There’s potential for slips and floodwaters to disrupt travel and make some roads impassable across the region.
He urges people to check the AT website and mobile app as the weather closes in and says it’s encouraging to see people heeded yesterday’s advice to stay home if they could.
“The severe and rapid flooding we saw on Friday shows just how important it is that people stay home and are not travelling unless necessary given the sort of weather forecast tonight,” Lambert says.
“We saw lower than usual traffic volumes across our road network this morning, as well as significantly lower passenger levels on our bus, train and ferry services.
“With more people staying at home, that should help to ease pressure on the network later today, but we also want to make sure those Aucklanders who do need to travel are home safe before the worst of the rain hits.”
AT says people should stay home today unless it’s necessary for them to travel; travel as early as possible to avoid the expected heavy rain; consider now their plans to return home, and not walk, drive or cycle through floodwater because it can pose a series health and safety risk.
Check the AT website for the latest information on public transport changes and cancellations at www.at.govt.nz.
