Take the Easter Ed express and don't drive

Richard Saunders
Richard Saunders
Councils are encouraging motorists to stay off roads and walk, take the bus or take a special express train from Mosgiel instead during the monster Ed Sheeran Easter.

Dunedin City Council transport group manager Richard Saunders said yesterday people should take advantage of public transport and walk where possible as parking would be tight around Forsyth Barr Stadium and the central city.

The Otago Regional Council and city council were ramping up public transport services throughout the weekend.

A train would leave Mosgiel for the Dunedin Railway Station in the afternoon on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and begin its return trip just before midnight.

Some bus services would be extended until 2am on those nights.

Shuttles will depart the Octagon for the stadium every 10 minutes between 3pm and 8pm on concert days and  return continuously between 10pm and 11pm.

Parking restrictions will be in place around the stadium from 2pm to midnight each concert day.

Two chartered services to the northern and southern suburbs of Dunedin will also be added.

Signs would  be erected this week to inform motorists, Mr Saunders said.

"We’re asking people to respect these restrictions, which are in place to keep the area safe for the thousands of concert-goers we expect to be walking to and from the venue.

"For this reason, we will be monitoring the area closely and unauthorised vehicles will be towed."

Mobility parking at the stadium was limited, so people who needed this should visit the Forsyth Barr Facebook page for details.

Work on city council roads around the stadium and central city would stop for Easter.

People who travelled around the city by car were asked to drive carefully and expect some delays at times over the weekend, he said.

Regional council stakeholder engagement director Sian Sutton said the concerts were a major event for the city over a weekend when bus services were typically reduced.

"It’s anticipated there will be in excess of 100,000 people in the city for the concerts, so ensuring that people can travel to and from the events and around the city is a priority for ourselves and the DCC. This is not only for the convenience of concert-goers but also for the safety and convenience of local residents."

Many services were operating on the usual fare structures, meaning it was difficult to anticipate the cost in advance, but both councils would bear some costs, she said.

"We’re really excited to see our city attract an artist of this calibre and want to make this a positive experience for everyone involved."

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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