Travel and transport information for
The PRADA America’s Cup World Series Auckland and PRADA Christmas Race
17 – 20 December
The following information has been prepared by Auckland Transport (AT) and is to help you plan for the transport changes that will come into effect on the America's Cup racing days from December 2020 to March 2021.
Access changes during the event period
The first set of road closures will occur from 17 - 20 December.
• Wynyard Quarter roads will close to vehicles at around 11am and reopen late evening
• Viaduct Harbour, Lower Hobson, Lower Albert, Quay Street and Britomart area roads close to vehicle traffic around 1pm and reopen around 8pm
Authorised Vehicle Access Permits
AT Ambassadors will be visiting businesses within the area to hand deliver pre approved Vehicle Permits on December 7 & 8. Wherever possible, they will leave these with reception. If the ambassadors are unable to gain access to your building, or no one is available, please ensure you collect your Vehicle Permits from Auckland Transport offices, 20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue. Vehicle Permits will be available for collection from 7 - 11 December between 10am - 4pm.
Reminders of when to use the permits
• Vehicle Permits will allow vehicles to pass through managed road closures and access off street private car parks only. Permits are valid from December 2020 to March 2021.
• Please expect longer travel times entering the area while permits are being checked.
Delays should also be anticipated when exiting the area.
• We strongly recommend scheduling deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs before the roads are
closed, or after roads are reopened. Any pick-ups or deliveries that need to be made during
the road closure times will need to be made outside of the closures.
Building managers and apartment body corporates
Some building managers and body corporates have already made contact with AT to request
Vehicle Permits, which they will then distribute to their tenants directly. Others have instructed their tenants to contact AT directly. Please check with your building manager or body corporate on the plan for your building.
Princes Wharf & Queens Wharf
• Princes Wharf access will change on race days. Ingress and egress will be via the Hobson
Street flyover bridge.
• Queens Wharf access will change on race days. Ingress & egress will be via Quay Street
(westbound).
Vehicle Permits are not required for Princes Wharf / Queens Wharf businesses, apartment tenants or customers as the wharves will still have all-day access.
Taxis and rideshare dedicated ranks
Two dedicated rideshare and taxi ranks will be in operation between 17 – 20 December
at the following locations:
• Viaduct Harbour Avenue near the Sofitel Hotel
• Customs Street West, near Sierra Café
Taxis and rideshare vehicles will be permitted to enter to these locations without a Vehicle Permit with access managed by on-the-ground staff. There will be signage to help navigate people to these locations.
Commercial car parking buildings
While AT want to encourage people to use public transport wherever possible, they acknowledge that some people may need to drive and park at a commercial parking facility. Access to existing carparks within the city centre, Viaduct Harbour, Wynyard Quarter, Princes Wharf, downtown and Britomart area will be maintained, however there may be detours in place and you should plan for delays.
Bus services in Wynyard Quarter
Stops for the City Link,75 and 20 will temporarily move on race days. Temporary stops will be a short walk away and signage will be placed at existing stops to help direct people.
Bus routes 20, 75, City Link and NEX services will have more frequent services and bigger buses will also be used on some routes. Routes will alter slightly on race days. More details on this and the locations of the bus stops to follow.
Public transport options
Please ensure you plan your travel in advance, so you don’t get into a race of your own.
You can use the Journey Planner function in the AT Mobile App or at
www.AT.govt.nz/americascup Ferry timetables are now available to view on the website.
Bike and e-scooter parking
Free valet bike and e-scooter parking will be available on race days from 2pm to 8pm at the
Jellicoe Street carpark and Hobson Street overbridge. Staff will look after your bike while you check out the action on the water. Outside of key race times, bike and e-scooter parking (not a valet service) will still be available onsite.
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Message for boaties
If you’re heading out on the water, plan to get out very early as there is expected to be
congestion at all local boat ramps. Access to Westhaven Drive will remain open.
Updates to the maps
• All road closures are now on the map - see below
Bike and e-scooter parking are now marked on the map
• Dedicated rideshare and taxi ranks are now marked on the map
• Gore Street between Quay Street and Tyler Street will be closed between 1 -8pm on
17 – 20 December.
Links and FAQs
To receive public information and road changes updates from Auckland Transport email
americascup@at.govt.nz
Sign up for America’s Cup news, events and team updates at
https://www.americascup.com/acws/auckland
Enquiries about the Vehicle Access Permits and road closures
email americascup@at.govt.nz or contact Auckland Transport at 09 3553 553
FAQ’s
Where can I find information about the races?
https://www.americascup.com/en/events
What event information is available for my business?
https://www.aucklandnz.com/36th-americas-cup
When will I know about transport planning for racing after December?
Planning is still underway, and more updates will follow once the information is available.
Why have road closures and parking restrictions been put in place?
Safety is at the heart of everything. By restricting parking and closing off roads in the area, AT are making sure that spectators can watch the race day activities and not have to watch out for traffic. The measures that are being put in place are designed to keep everyone safe and tie-in with the event’s resource consent.
Plan ahead and enjoy the racing.
Reminder of the key dates
15 December 2020: America's Cup World Series Race Village opens
17 - 20 December 2020: America's Cup World Series
15 January - 22 February 2021: The PRADA Cup
6 - 21 March 2021: The 36th America's Cup Match
There is a lot of information here but we understand that some recipients had difficultly opening the links on the last email.
