Travel restrictions for Auckland during Alert Level 3 revealed

New Zealand is be moving to Alert Level 3 on Tuesday 28 April. While some restrictions will be relaxed, many lockdown conditions remain in place. People are asked to only travel or use public transport when their journey is absolutely essential.

While wearing of masks is not needed on public transport, AT suggest that customers consider using them as an added precaution against the spread of COVID-19.

Under Alert Level 3, journeys on public transport will continue to be free, but they’ll still need to use a HOP card to tag on and off - this allows us to monitor demand and make adjustments to services if required. To make contact tracing easy if needed, AT recommend to register their HOP card by visiting the website.

Trains and ferries will run to a reduced timetable. Buses will run to a near-normal timetable to provide enough capacity to allow two-metre physical distancing.

AT’s instructions to passengers travelling in Level 3:

Plan ahead

If you do have to travel, visit our website and use the Journey Planner. For bus and train service updates in real-time, you can use the AT Mobile app.

The AT Mobile app now has a feature that indicates how many people are on a bus or train service at any given time. This lets you know if two-metre distancing is achievable before you board.

School buses

All Auckland Transport school buses will begin operating again from Wednesday 29 April. Buses will, however, have reduced capacity due to the need for physical distancing on board so we recommend that parents wait with their child(ren) at the bus stop until they can see if the bus has enough room on board for their child(ren).

What to do when you travel on buses:

• Cash purchases will not be accepted on board during Alert Level 3. You must use a HOP card.
• You must use the rear door to get on and off buses.
• Tag on and off using the HOP card reader inside the rear door.
• If you use a wheelchair or mobility device or require driver assistance, you can still get on and off using the front door.
• Customers will not be able to use the first row of seats behind the bus driver.
• Please observe the signs on board which indicate two-metre distancing.
• Once a bus is at capacity, drivers will only drop customers off.

Cleaning of public transport

The safety of our workers and customers is a priority, so we’re making sure all public transport is cleaned regularly. We’ve also stepped up our regime to include antimicrobial cleaning. You’ll find hand sanitiser stations at many locations, and we encourage you to use them. 

Customer service centres

Some of our customer service centres will stay closed for now. Please use self-service options such as ordering an AT HOP card online. Our call centres are still open, however, and you’re welcome to phone us on 09 366 6400.

If you’re unable to access self-service options, the following customer service centres will be open but will have reduced staff numbers (see our website for opening hours):

• Britomart
• Manukau Bus Station
• New Lynn
• Panmure
• Smales Farm
• Newmarket

"We continue to support Government advice. The best place to find the latest information about the COVID-19 situation in New Zealand is on the Government’s special COVID-19 website."

One final thing

Auckland has been quieter during the lockdown, but under Alert Level 3 many freight and construction vehicles will be returning to our roads, so be aware of other road users while you get to and from your bus, ferry or train.