Kia ora J Turner,

Auckland Transport (AT) acknowledges receipt of your request for official
information dated the 4^th of October 2022 relating to track closures as a
result of the Rail Network Rebuild programme announced on the 3^rd of
October 2022.

We hope to respond to your request as soon as possible, but not later than
the 2^nd of November 2022, which is 20 working days after the day your
request was received. If we aren’t able to respond to your request by
then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

Your case is being managed by Anna, who is one of our LGOIMA Business
partners. If you have any further queries, you can contact the team on
(09) 355 3553 during business hours, quoting Local Government Official
Information request number CAS-631323-V8H5V5.

Ngâ mihi,

Peter | Customer Care Coordinator
Customer Care| Case Management
Level 5, 20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland 1010
P 09 355 3553
[1]www.at.govt.nz

From: J Turner <[FOI #20744 email]>;
Received: Tue Oct 04 2022 09:26:36 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
To: [email address] <at[Auckland Transport request email]>;
LGOIMA <at[Auckland Transport request email]>;
Subject: Official Information request - Information relating to the track
closures announced 3rd October

Dear Auckland Transport,

I am writing to get information on the announced rail closures announced on the 3rd October 2022.

1) Any memo, emails, or discussion about the timing of the announcement and the failure to engage with elected members prior to announcing the closure
2) Any plans to improve the bus service, including temporary bus lanes, additional service
3) Any cost/benefit analysis, or other analysis, done regarding the decision to close the line to passengers completely, opposed to opening it in the morning and evening
4) Any memos or other information as to why the foundation work was not done prior to relaying the tracks and sleepers.
5) Any plans, memos, internal discussions from Auckland Transport to improve Active Transport safety along these routes, including the provision of bike racks on buses.

Yours faithfully,

J Turner

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Good afternoon

 

I’d like to acknowledge that we have had part of your request asking for
details on the announced rail closures transferred to KiwiRail to respond.

Namely - Any memos or other information as to why the foundation work was
not done prior to relaying the tracks and sleepers.

 

We will process your request under the OIA, and respond in due course.

 

In the meantime – please see the FAQ section here - [1]Rail Network
Rebuild | KiwiRail

 

As this provides a good overview on many of your questions.

 

Kind regards

Dave

 

Dave Allard  | Senior Government Relations Advisor

DDI: 027 201 8182
Level 4, Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wellington 6011 | PO
Box 593, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

[2]Description: Description: cid:image001.png@01D46098.E77643D0

[3]www.kiwirail.co.nz

 

References

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Good afternoon J Turner.
When time permits, do you mind emailing me with a contact phone number
please.
I would like to discuss your LGOIMA.
 
Kind regards
Anna Rushton | LGOIMA Business Partner
Customer Care
Auckland Transport
20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland 1010
Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142
P 09 355 3553 | E [1][email address]
[2]www.at.govt.nz
[3]A picture containing text, clipart<br><br>Description automatically
generated
  

We all have an important part to play in helping to reduce the spread of
COVID-19 in our communities. [4]Find the latest information and advice
from Auckland Transport. For the latest news from the Ministry of Health
go to the [5]Unite Against Covid-19 website.

Important notice: The contents of this email and any attachments may be
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you have received this
email message in error please notify us immediately and erase all copies
of the message and attachments; any use, disclosure or copying of this
message or attachments is prohibited. Any views expressed in this email
may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the
views of Auckland Transport.

References

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Good morning J Turner
I had hoped to have discussed your LGOIMA with you on the phone to in an
attempt to refine your request as the collation involved is proving
substantial.
Auckland Transport (AT) provide five hours of free collation  relating to
LGOIMA requests.  Any hours beyond that, if the customer still requires
the additional information for the time involved, we charge $90 per hour.
 
Can you please let me know how you would like to proceed, if I don't hear
from you in the coming says, we will provide information that falls within
five hours.
 
Many thanks
Anna

We all have an important part to play in helping to reduce the spread of
COVID-19 in our communities. [1]Find the latest information and advice
from Auckland Transport. For the latest news from the Ministry of Health
go to the [2]Unite Against Covid-19 website.

Important notice: The contents of this email and any attachments may be
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you have received this
email message in error please notify us immediately and erase all copies
of the message and attachments; any use, disclosure or copying of this
message or attachments is prohibited. Any views expressed in this email
may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the
views of Auckland Transport.

References

Visible links
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Kia ora J 

 

We need a bit more time to work on your case.

We are granting your request which means we hold the information you have
requested and we will provide it.  We are in the process of gathering the
information and it will take us a  little bit longer to prepare the
information for release. We estimate the information will be ready by 18
November 2022.

Please let us know if you would like to discuss the decision.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
 

 

 

Ngā mihi

Anna 

LGOIMA Business Partner 

 

 

Auckland Transport

20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland 1010

[2]www.at.govt.nz

 

We all have an important part to play in helping to reduce the spread of
COVID-19 in our communities. [3]Find the latest information and advice
from Auckland Transport. For the latest news from the Ministry of Health
go to the [4]Unite Against Covid-19 website.

Important notice: The contents of this email and any attachments may be
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you have received this
email message in error please notify us immediately and erase all copies
of the message and attachments; any use, disclosure or copying of this
message or attachments is prohibited. Any views expressed in this email
may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the
views of Auckland Transport.

References

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2. http://www.at.govt.nz/
3. https://at.govt.nz/COVID-19
4. https://covid19.govt.nz/

Kia ora J Turner

 

I’ve attached the official information you asked for

On 4/10/2022 you asked for information relating to the recently announced
track closures.

 

I’ve attached a response from Darek Koper, Group Manager Metro Services.

 

Should you believe that we have not dealt with your request appropriately,
you are able to make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman in
accordance with section 27(3) of the LGOIMA Act and seek an investigation
and review in regard to this matter.

You can contact the Ombudsman at [1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.

 

If you have any further queries, simply reply to this email leaving the
subject line as it is. We’ll make sure this information is added to your
case.

 

 

 

Ngā mihi

Anna 

LGOIMA Business Partner 

 

 

Auckland Transport

20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland 1010

[2]www.at.govt.nz

 

 

We all have an important part to play in helping to reduce the spread of
COVID-19 in our communities. [3]Find the latest information and advice
from Auckland Transport. For the latest news from the Ministry of Health
go to the [4]Unite Against Covid-19 website.

Important notice: The contents of this email and any attachments may be
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you have received this
email message in error please notify us immediately and erase all copies
of the message and attachments; any use, disclosure or copying of this
message or attachments is prohibited. Any views expressed in this email
may be those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the
views of Auckland Transport.

References

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4. https://covid19.govt.nz/

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Good afternoon

 

Please find our response below.

I refer to your request dated 11 October 2022, transferred to KiwiRail
from Auckland Transport under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act),
asking for information on the rebuild, specifically - Any memos or other
information as to why the foundation work was not done prior to relaying
the tracks and sleepers.

 

Please note the documents that support this request will soon be publicly
released on the KiwiRail website. The link to the documents can be found
here - Publications | KiwiRail

 

As background to the recent announcement, while there have been a number
of rail improvement projects in Auckland over the last few decades - such
as double tracking the Western Line, construction of the Onehunga and
Manukau Lines, station rebuilds, new signalling, electrifying the network
and new trains - the resulting growth in rail services in Auckland was not
matched with funding for ongoing maintenance.

 

This resulted in a reactive approach to maintenance and an increasing
number of temporary speed restrictions being put on parts of the network,
to ensure services could continue to operate safely.

 

Due to the age of the Auckland network and service growth, KiwiRail has
known formation on the Auckland network needed replacing at some point,
for some time. As a general rule, 60-70% of top faults (e.g. with rail or
sleepers) are actually due to weaknesses in the formation, often caused by
poor drainage.

 

The City Rail Link (CRL) became the impetus for doing this work and the
2018 Government Policy Statement on Land Transport, which included a
‘Transitional Rail’ activity class, provided a clear pathway for Waka
Kotahi to fund the needed renewals in Auckland.

 

That year KiwiRail and Auckland Transport (AT) commissioned a business
case for the renewals work, which was submitted to Waka Kotahi in 2019.
Funding was allocated in early 2020.

 

Work that involves essentially removing and replacing a rail line requires
significant planning, design and scheduling. KiwiRail was at the start of
this work when tiny cracks were discovered on rail lines in Auckland,
caused by rolling contact fatigue between steel train wheels and steel
tracks.

 

Emergency works to replace or repair damaged rail took precedence and was
carried out over an eight-month period in 2020/21.

This work had to be done urgently so that trains could continue running
safely. Undertaking the formation replacement work in 2020/21 would have
required rail lines to be closed for longer.

 

KiwiRail had not done sufficient planning to do the work at the time.

 

Work planning the broader renewals then resumed, and detailed discussions
with Auckland Transport about how to schedule the bulk of the Rail Network
Rebuild started in the second half of 2021.

 

It is important to note that potential timings to complete the Rail
Network Rebuild have changed as project planning developed.

 

KiwiRail advised our Ministers of the need for the work in late 2021 and
Ministers were kept informed of ongoing progress. Once a potential
schedule was sufficiently progressed, Auckland’s Mayor was advised of the
work in mid-2022.

 

The approach to carrying out the bulk of the Rail Network Rebuild,
including confirming the dates of the first two stages, was finalised in
September 2022.

 

AT’s full Board were made aware of the final approach on 29 September
2022; the Mayor and the Minister were advised of the outcome on, 30
September 2022; and the Rail Network Rebuild schedule was publicly
announced 3 October 2022.

 

Background information was sent to Auckland City councillors, community
board members, MPs and other stakeholders on the day of the public
announcement.

 

KiwiRail and Auckland Transport’s aim was to inform the public about the
schedule of work as quickly as possible after it was approved, and the
Minister and Mayor advised.

 

The focus was on ensuring enough time before the first stage of work
commenced, for commuters to be aware of the upcoming disruption and plan
transport alternatives.

 

It’s worth noting that the project, known as Rail Network Growth Impact
Management (RNGIM), is included in KiwiRail’s inaugural multi-year
planning document – the Rail Network Investment Programme, which has been
publicly available on our website since it was released in 2021.

 

On 3 October 2022, KiwiRail and AT announced the indicative schedule of
the main works.

 

I trust this answers your query, but any further questions please get in
touch.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by calling free-phone 0800 802 602.

 

Kind regards

 

Dave

 

Dave Allard  | Senior Government Relations Advisor

DDI: 027 201 8182
Level 4, Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wellington 6011 | PO
Box 593, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

[1]Description: Description: cid:image001.png@01D46098.E77643D0

[2]www.kiwirail.co.nz

 

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