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• Citybound  is heavy and backed-up on ’s Northwestern Motorway after a five-car  near  and another at .
  •  warn of “heavy delays” and advise  to detour.
• has added services, including school buses, to handle increased demand during “March Madness”

Auckland commuters are facing major delays into the city this morning after a series of crashes across the motorway network.

A crash has blocked two middle citybound lanes just ahead of the St Lukes ramps on the Northwestern Motorway. The New Zealand Transport Agency said motorists should expect delays and pass with care.

Earlier, a five-vehicle crash in the same place started a backlog about 6.30am. There was another crash at the TeAtatū ramps.

It comes as the city gets into , the busiest time of year across Auckland’s transport network, with schools, universities and workplaces all back from summer breaks.

While the first St Lukes crash has cleared, police are warning motorists of “heavy delays” on the Northwestern Motorway, saying people should detour around the crash if possible.

It was reported to police just after 6.30am. The five vehicles, one of which was towing a boat, crashed in the far right lane.

There were no reports of injuries, a police spokeswoman said.

Another crash in a citybound lane at the TeAtatū Rd ramps is also holding up traffic on the Northwestern. It was reported to the New Zealand Transport Agency at 7.10am.

Reacting to “March Madness”, Auckland Transport’s group manager of public transport operations Rachel Cara said AT is prepared for the increase in demand and has been planning for it.

“We have added additional services, including school buses, on routes we know will be busiest, meaning we can carry an extra 2700 people on our public transport services across the day,” she said.

“Last year we saw close to 400,000 trips taken on public transport in a single day and we’re expecting to see similar numbers again this year.

“It will be particularly busy at peak times, which are weekdays between 7am-9am and 3pm-6pm.”