2pm Update on Auckland situation
Please attribute to KiwiRail Chief Operations Officer Siva Sivapakkiam:
“I apologise to Auckland rail commuters for the disruption caused to services this morning.
“Shortly before 4am we were advised of electricity arcing from overhead electric lines under the Broadway overbridge and we had to turn the power off to investigate. 25,000 volts run through the overhead lines.
“Our people had to make that call and I support their decision. Though it caused disruption, the safety of passengers and the public has to be our top priority.
“Contaminants had got on the insulator - due to high humidity and recent weather. The insulator was cleaned and power restored by 8.15am.
“Insulators across Auckland are inspected every six months and cleaned annually. This site was within tolerances for checking and cleaning.
“As soon as were advised of the arcing we took action. We had track crews mobilized by 4.15am and contacted the train operator Auckland One Rail at 4.25am. The short amount of time between the fault being discovered and commuter trains starting this morning seriously limited Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail’s ability to put alternate public transport in place.
“This issue is not related to the disruption in Wellington earlier this week. Our Track Evaluation Car will be back in Auckland next week to undertake its scheduled assessments.”
8am statement
Please attribute to KiwiRail Chief Operations Officer Siva Sivapakkiam:
Around 4am this morning electrical arcing was discovered between overhead powerlines in Auckland’s Newmarket area.
For safety reasons, power to the overhead lines had to be turned off between Penrose, Swanson and Britomart - so the electric commuter trains cannot operate.
Our technicians have been on site this morning and have assessed and repaired a fault. We are aiming for the power to be switched back on shortly, so that train services can resume.
KiwiRail has been working to fix the fault as quickly as possible, and have been keeping Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail informed.
Trains are still running between Papakura and Otahuhu on a reduced timetable.