Bledisloe Cup Game Trial Run For Rugby World Cup
Bledisloe Cup Game Trial Run For Rugby World Cup
This Saturday night the Wallabies take on the All Blacks on their home turf in the crucial Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park.
This is the last game the All Blacks will play at Eden Park before the start of the Rugby World Cup, and with an expected crowd of 45,000, tournament organisers and transport authorities are treating the match as a trial run for the RWC itself.
This Saturday will also be a taste of things to come at Britomart during the Rugby World Cup. Early in the evening, the precinct’s bars and restaurants will be lively with rugby fans on their way to catch the free trains to Eden Park. Face painters will be roaming the bars, decking out fans with their chosen team colours.
Once the game kicks off at 7.35pm, The Britomart Country Club, Brew on Quay, Northern Steamship Co. and Tyler Street Garage will all be screening the match live with sound on the big screen, with many fans staying to enjoy a meal and a few drinks while watching the game.
Special event train and bus information
At Britomart Transport Centre, the traveller separation system designed to keep commuter services running smoothly during RWC games will be tested for the first time on Saturday.
If you're travelling to Eden Park, you'll need to use the main Queen Street entrance to the station. Special rugby train services will run from Britomart to Kingsland, stopping at Grafton and Kingsland only, and leave every 5-7 minutes between 4.30pm and 6.50pm. Trains to and from the stadium will be free with a match ticket. There’s plenty of convenient parking at Britomart Car Park for those wanting to leave their cars and catch trains.
Commuters wanting to use regular scheduled train services need to use the eastern entrance to the station, located at Atrium on Takutai between the Westpac on Takutai Square and Ernst & Young buildings. Train tickets will be available from staff at this entrance, as the main ticket office will be closed from 5pm.
From 8pm to 11pm, some normal train services will be replaced by special buses between Britomart and Morningside. These will depart from stop D14 on Commerce Street. More special event bus and train information on the Maxx website here
The transport plans in operation this Saturday will be the same as those in place for each of the 11 Eden Park RWC 2011 games. All Aucklanders are asked to think about their own transport plans on game days, whether they're going to the match or not. People are advised to be patient, allow plenty of time to get around the city and make alternative travel plans where necessary.
Created 03 August 2011
