SkyCity Convention Centre fire: How fire will affect your commute on Thursday

Wednesday, 23 October 2019

A major fire at Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre cast a think pall of smoke over central Auckland.

While the SkyCity Convention Centre continues to burn, Auckland commuters face a second day of impact on their early morning commute.

About 80 firefighters were battling the flames on Wednesday afternoon. Some road closures are still in place in the city centre and these will continue into Thursday.

As a result, Auckland Transport have warned motorists and people taking public transport to expect diversions and significant delays once again.

A long list of bus services have been re-routed due to fire cordons in the CBD.

Road closures on Wellesley St (west from Victoria to Nelson and between Nelson and Hobson), Nelson St (between Cook and Victoria) and Hobson St (between Victoria and Wellesley) were expected to remain through Thursday's morning peak, AT said.

Road closures in Auckland's CBD are affecting bus users and motorists.

*** SkyCity fire: Stay away from Auckland CBD and out of toxic smoke

Transport into the city centre is still plagued with congestion at peak times due to the SkyCity Convention Centre fire.

* Why is the smoke thick, black and toxic?

* SkyCity fire: Photos show moments CBD stood still

* Civil Defence 'confident' in emergency mobile alert system safeguards**

It advised people to avoid the city centre areas and not to stop and take photographs of the fire, and suggested anyone travelling to the city centre avoid peak hour traffic, leave extra time and check the Auckland Transport website, Facebook or Twitter for updates.

AT have advised anyone who can to work from home, or a non-central location, or start work at a later time.

AT spokesperson John Nottage said, 'If you are able to time your travel to avoid peak hour traffic, by leaving earlier or later than usual, we advise you to do so.

'Train services are not affected by traffic diversions, so if you have the option to travel by train this would also be a good way to avoid delays.'

AT staff in orange hi-vis vests were dotted around various bus stops in the city to direct passengers to alternative places to catch the bus.

The city bus services that are still affected by detours are: NX2, 101, 22A, 22N, 22R, 221X, 223X, 24B, 24R, 24W, 243X, and 248X bus.

Detours were also required for 82, 802, 923, and 924, as well as 75 bus services.

Further detours were required for 18, 151X, 171X, 172X, 195X, and 209 bus services, as well as 105 and 106 services.

The Outer Link bus service was also affected.

Auckland Transport's website lists all the routes affected, as well as bus stop closures and detour information.