PeopleMax’s Auckland Transport Ambassadors ready for Rugby World Cup

The countdown is all but complete and whilst kick off for the 2011 Rugby World Cup is at 8.30pm on Friday, for the Auckland Transport Ambassadors the game started last week with the initial communications for downtown public transport users, particularly those around Britomart, being informed of bus stop relocation.

From Friday morning, over 100 Public Transport Ambassadors will be stationed at the main transport hubs and the smaller stations and bus stops providing information on the many changes and assisting the public transport users during the Rugby World Cup. It’s not just those going to or from the game that need assistance – many commuters not attending the games will be relying on public transport to get themselves around town and with so many changes in place – the Transport Ambassadors will be worked to capacity.

Aside from project specific training, a series of special 4 hour briefings were conducted providing the Ambassadors with a broad overview of the event and the overall Public Transport plan. Bruce Barnard, Rugby World Cup Project Director for Transport and John Strawbridge, Operations Manager for Eden Park made presentations and provided insight to the planning and organisation for the Rugby World Cup, which is the largest single event in the world for 2011!

These presentations were complimented with a thorough overview provided by both Veolia Transport and Auckland Transport’s Chloe Hedley and Kash Chitnis from Rob Pitney’s team.

A selection of Peoplemax’s part time workers and contractors have been appointed Public Transport Ambassadors for the event, many having worked on transport communication projects before as the organisation is the approved supplier to Auckland City for these services. This event has been unprecedented in its scope and scale and the opening night game and celebrations will see Auckland’s public transport network used extensively. The need for people on the street, able to communicate effectively with the public is an essential requirement, ensuring that the public transport users are looked after during this exciting event.