News

KiwiRail is reminding motorists, cyclists  and pedestrians to take care at level crossings in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions now there are extra trains running between Hamilton, Tauranga and Mt Maunganui.

KiwiRail has begun running additional freight services along the East Coast Main Trunk rail line to and from the Port of Tauranga both at Sulphur Point and Mt Maunganui.

Around 14 return services a day now operate along the line between the Waikato and Bay of Plenty - meaning an average of a train an hour, seven days a week along that section of the network.

"We are urging everyone to be careful around all level crossings along this route," says KiwiRail Infrastructure and Engineering General Manager Rick van Barneveld.

"It is already a busy rail route but it is easy for people to become accustomed to train traffic in areas they drive around regularly so we are urging people to take extra caution at railway lines because of the extra trains running through the area.  Train schedules can and do  change and so they should expect a train at any time."

"The warning signs around railway lines are there for a reason - they are to protect people and warn them when a train is approaching."

"At all times, we are asking people to take care and be aware around the railway, to always obey the signs and make sure the lines are clear of trains before crossing."