Data released today by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency confirms a significant drop in travel within New Zealand’s main urban centres following the move to Covid-19 Alert Level 4.

Traffic volumes on key urban state highway sites on Wednesday, the first day of Level 4 restrictions,  were down between 63% and 72% compared with Wednesday last week, while public transport trips were down by more than 90% in all of the main centres.

Under Alert Level 4 using private vehicles(external link) and public transport(external link) is only allowed for essential personal movement.

You should not travel if you:

• have been requested to self-isolate
• have symptoms of COVID-19
• are awaiting a COVID-19 test result. 

Remember, any unnecessary travel may spread COVID-19.  For further information on domestic travel, go to: https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/domestic-travel/(external link)

State highway traffic volumes

Data on state highway travel measured by Waka Kotahi at key traffic sites in the main urban centres shows the following reductions when comparing traffic volumes from Wednesday 18 August with Wednesday 11 August.

• Auckland - a 67.2% drop in light traffic and a 61.5% drop for heavy traffic. Overall drop of 66.9%.
• Wellington - a 73.2% drop in light traffic and a 55.8% drop for heavy traffic. Overall drop of 72.6%.
• Christchurch - a 72.2% drop in light traffic and a 59.5% drop for heavy traffic. Overall drop of 71.8%.
• Hamilton - a 65.5% drop in light traffic and a 42.4% drop for heavy traffic. Overall drop of 63.4%.
• Dunedin - a 71.2% drop in light traffic and a 64.4% drop for heavy traffic. Overall drop of 70.6%.

Public transport patronage

Data on the use of public transport in the main urban centres shows the following reductions when comparing Wednesday 18 August with Wednesday 11 August.

• Auckland – a reduction in public transport use of 93.8% from the previous week.
• Wellington – a reduction in public transport use of 95.5% from the previous week.
• Christchurch - a reduction in public transport use of 92.5% from the previous week.