NZ Transit Buzz

#StationNews: @rvst_art on TikTok has shared a timelapse of the 190-meter-long ocean-themed mural they painted at Maungawhau Station.

The mural is part of KiwiRail's beautification project and was also painted by @joey.plutoski on Instagram and RUKEA @missjesseface on TikTok.

Cyclists thigh-deep in water days after rain The Petone railway underpass on a nearly-new $70 million cycleway is thigh-deep in water more than two days after the storm and heavy rain in Wellington.

#StationNews: The Petone railway underpass on a nearly-new $70 million cycleway is thigh-deep in water more than two days after the storm and heavy rain in Wellington.

Via RNZ: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

#TicketingNews: Metro Canterbury has passed 500,000 tag-ons with contactless payments.

54,000 of those tag-ons were from last week alone.

At this stage, no replacement stops will be installed.

Hastings District Council are working to identify a safer, long-term solution.

#BusNews: GoBay Hawke's Bay have removed the two bus stops on Nelson St between Queen St and St Aubyn Street following ongoing safety concerns and community feedback.

These stops previously serviced Routes 1 and 6.

#BusNews: The Tūpuna Maunga Authority will be undertaking upgrade work to create a dedicated visitor bus drop-off area at Takarunga / Mt Victoria.

The loop road downslope of the courts will be widened to form a tourist bus drop-off bay.

MORE: maunga.nz/news/new-blo...

As part of the change, the 352 will shift to Greenan Dr, Bellingham Rd and Accent Dr, providing a more direct connection from Flatbush and Ormiston to Highbrook.

MORE: at.govt.nz/projects-ini...

#BusNews: Auckland Transport has confirmed that from April 2026, a new 37 route will launch between Manurewa, Clendon, Puhinui Station and Highbrook.

Cyclist breaks shoulder and pelvis on Gisborne cycleway rail gap, fixes underway Eastland Port will fill the track gap and add anti-slip coating this month.

#RailNews: A disused railway line that intersects with a popular Gisborne cycleway is being filled after a cyclist suffered multiple fractures from falling when his bike’s wheel got caught in a track.

Via NZ Herald: www.nzherald.co.nz/gisborne-her...

Million-dollar dunnies to become a pit stop for bus drivers Two of the award-winning toilets, described as ‘broken from day-one’ by councillors, will be converted for use by bus drivers on lunch breaks.

#BusNews: The South Waikato District Council has found a new use for two of its five former Leith Place public toilets - a kitchen and toilet for local bus drivers.

Via Waikato Times: www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

#BusNews: Crews have installed the main frame of the new bus shelters at Te Waihorotiu Station.

The frames will form part of the Wellesley Street bus interchange.

During the first 10 weeks of repair, there will be no vehicle access through the site from 8.30am to 12pm and 12.30pm to 5.30pm.

School buses will be allowed through in the morning before the works start, and in the afternoon students will be walked through the site while works are halted.

#BusNews: Auckland Transport's Engagement Team has shared with Green Bay High School that they will be undertaking slip repair work on Tanekaha Road which will affect access through the area from the beginning of March.

#StationNews: Waitematā Local Board chair Alex Bonham has clarified how late trains will run once the CRL is open.

It is expected that Sunday to Thursday, trains will run until 11 pm/midnight, and between 1 - 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

There are also plans for several local trips before heading back in the afternoon.

Currently, the trip is in the planning phase, with final approval pending from KiwiRail.

GVR are hoping to run the trip on May 2.

#TrainNews: A Glenbrook Vintage Railway spokesperson has confirmed to NZ Transit Buzz that the pilot service is planned to be a one-day-only trip, which will bring passengers from Auckland/Hamilton to Tauranga and return.

Ritchies drivers left in limbo Bus drivers for Ritchies Transport in Dunedin are reporting an increased amount of sick leave taken, as the company grapples with losing contracts,...

#BusNews: Bus drivers for Ritchies Transport in Dunedin are reporting an increased amount of sick leave taken, as the company grapples with losing contracts, the Otago Daily Times understands.

Paywalled via Otago Daily Times: www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin...

Complaints after crowded school bus repeatedly leaves 13-year-old stranded at stop Auckland Transport will trial an extra afternoon service this week.

#BusNews: An Auckland father says his daughter is repeatedly being left behind at the school bus stop, leaving her “daunted” as she tries to navigate public transport for the first time.

Via NZ Herald: www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/education...

#RailNews: Metlink has shared photos of their storm-damaged carriages that operate on the Wairarapa Line.

The damaged carriages have been removed from service for repairs, meaning full timetables cannot be run at present.

Clifford Bay consortium claims Picton cost blowout coming The consortium behind a proposed Clifford Bay port claims the cost of Picton wharf infrastructure for new Cook Strait ferries will seriously blow out, requiring...

#FerryNews: The consortium behind a proposed Clifford Bay port claims the cost of Picton wharf infrastructure for new Cook Strait ferries will seriously blow out, requiring a re-evaluation of their alternative.

Via BusinessDesk: businessdesk.co.nz/article/infr...

#RailNews: The Canterbury Railway Society have been undertaking work to replace sleepers at the turnout for the Ferrymead Railway branch line and NRM turntable.

Photos Jessy B & Peter J.

#BusNews: @yt_joshtransit on X has spotted the Alexander Dennis Enviro100 EV Demonstrator in service on Waiheke Island.

It is currently on a trial with Waiheke Bus Company (Fullers360) and is numbered WB158.

TRACK: yt-joshrbx.github.io/AucklandTran...

#FerryNews: Wellington's East By West Ferries are suspended through to mid-morning on February 17 due to damage to the wharf at Days Bay.

Contractors will soon set up a temporary berth further along the wharf so services can resume.

#TrainNews: UPDATE @ 1:59 pm - The evening Wellington to Palmerston North Capital Connection’s service on February 16 has been reinstated and will run as normal on February 17.

Tauranga site puts developers in driver’s seat 'One of the best future development sites in Tauranga CBD' on the market.

#BusNews: Arguably one of the best future development sites in the Tauranga CBD is on the market.

The sealed and fully-fenced site is leased to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for its Tauranga public transport operations facility.

Via OneRoof: www.oneroof.co.nz/news/taurang...

#RailNews: KiwiRail Chief Metros Officer David Gordon said infrastructure teams have been inspecting the Wellington metro network and Wairarapa Line since early morning.

Via Stuff: www.tickaroo.com/e/GuwB7bCeZX...

‘Designed to succeed’: What Whanganui's new bus network could achieve The new service launches on April 17.

#BusNews: Whanganui’s new bus network will launch in April, putting people closer to frequent routes and making it easier and faster to get around more of the city.

Via NZ Herald: www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-ch...

Your political guide to restoring Wellington’s trams 🥸Kia ora! I've recently changed the name of threesixtysix to Welly Climate Nerd. Nothing else has changed, except you'll have a slightly different name in your inbox. Enjoy my last entry in our tram i...

#TramNews: As recently as 2022, over half of Wellingtonians wanted trams to return to our streets.

Popular demand isn't what's holding this city back. Systems, politics, and a lack of vision are holding us back from our potential.

Via Welly Climate Nerd: wellyclimatenerd.net/your-politic...

Temporary wharf to make Picton project simpler, maybe cheaper A simpler and possibly cheaper method of constructing a wharf at Picton for the new Interislander ferries has been identified, as early works get under way.Thre...

#FerryNews: A simpler and possibly cheaper method of constructing a wharf at Picton for the new Interislander ferries has been identified, as early works get under way.

Via BusinessDesk: businessdesk.co.nz/article/infr...

#BusNews: St Pierre's collaborated with Hello Kitty and Friends to host a one-time-only karaoke bus.

The bus was fitted out with extra lighting, karaoke screens, a disco ball and ended with all-you-can-eat sushi at a local store.

Via @foodiestablenz: www.tiktok.com/@foodiestabl...