Subscribe to RSSQuake: Trains Out Of ChCh Stopped
Passenger trains between Christchurch and Greymouth and between Christchurch and Picton have been suspended until further notice.
The TranzAlpine will be replaced by buses on Monday.
Metro bus services will not operate on at least Monday for Christchurch, Selwyn, and Waimakariri districts.
This is to allow more time to assess the damage to roads in Christchurch and surrounding areas before passenger bus services can resume.
And apart from the roading issues, the central city also remains cordoned off making any bus operations difficult.
The Bus Exchange building in Lichfield Street needs to be fully assessed before it can begin operating again as the hub for the Metro service.
Metro operations will be reviewed on a daily basis.The Diamond Harbour Ferry will operate as per usual allowing people to travel to Lyttelton, although there will be no connecting buses for travel to Christchurch.
Here’s an update on the rail situation in the South Island.
- The Belfast–Rangiora line is closed due to extensive damage along a 5km length of track and to one bridge (Bridge 18). This is expected to be fixed by Tuesday
- The line between Rangiora and Christchurch is expected to be opened by Tuesday
- The Rolleston–Cass line has now been assessed. An empty coal train will depart on Monday morning with a structures engineer on board to assess viaducts under load. It is expected to be fully opened after this.
- The Midland line is closed and is expected to open on Monday afternoon.
- All other lines are open, however, the Middleton to Ashburton line has a speed restriction of 25km/hr over bridges and 40km/hr over other track as aftershock mitigation.
NZTA says that roads are still be assessed in the affected areas and essential travel only is advised.
The bad weather is tonight now affecting roading throughout the south.
- Whataroa Police is urging all motorists travelling on State Highway 6, between Fox Glacier and Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island, to exercise extra care by reducing speed and increasing following distances, due to widespread surface flooding after heavy rain falls.
- Motorists are being urged to take extreme care on roads from South to North Canterbury due to the stormy, windy weather conditions being experienced across the region. Police, Fire, Councils and other agencies are responding to numerous instances of trees and power poles being blown onto roads, in some cases completely blocking roads and knocking out power.
- Canterbury’s Old Waimakariri Bridge, Main North Road, is closed until further notice.
- State Highway 77 is closed between Glentunnel to Glenroy due to slips. One lane on this highway at Windwhistle is now open, however, delays are expected.
- State Highway 74 is closed at Dyers Road. Alternatives routes are available.
Police recommend motorists consider delaying their travel plans in these areas, at least until the storm has passed through the areas they plan to drive through.
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