20 July, 2011

First Eight Months of Auckland Transport End on Strong Note

The first eight months of operation for Auckland Transport have ended on a strong note with a number of significant projects delivered to a high standard, Chief Executive, Dr David Warburton said at Auckland Transport’s Board meeting today.

Dr Warburton says, “A highlight includes an 8.5% increase in public transport boardings with rail patronage about to hit the ten million passenger journey mark next week.

“Over eight months, Auckland Transport has been a major part of one of the largest business reorganisations ever in New Zealand. One cannot underestimate the work that has been done by staff to ensure a fully functioning and effective organisation.

“Since Auckland Transport was formed there have been a number of significant projects delivered to a high standard in a relatively brief time. These include:

• The successful introduction and implementation of Auckland’s first public transport smartcard –HOP
• Public transport usage up 8.5% on the previous financial year and rail patronage on track to reach a record 10 million passenger trips.
• The lodgement of the first Notice of Requirement (NOR) for the AMETI project
• Achieving a good outcome for Auckland from the hearing on SH20 (Waterview)
• New payment systems and cheaper evening and weekend rates for Auckland Transport’s carparks
• Set up of a Joint Transport Operating Centre at Smales Farm with NZTA to manage Auckland’s roading network as one network
• Establishment of a structured prioritisation system for the 2011/2012 capital programme
• Completion of the City Rail Loop Business case
• Good progress with our partner KiwiRail on the contract to supply electric trains for Auckland
• Review of Dominion Road completed

A major redesign of bus routes in the Auckland CBD and inner suburbs will be rolled out in August. A high frequency bus linking Queen Street and K’Rd to Wynyard Quarter is one of two routes being added to Auckland’s popular LINK bus service.

Positive engagement with Local Boards

Dr. Warburton said, “Auckland Transport is now well-placed to build better transport solutions for Auckland in the year ahead”.

Patronage figures for the 12-months to June 2011 are included in Auckland Transport’s public transport patronage report, released today.

Highlights include:

• Auckland public transport patronage totalled 65,763,655 passengers for the
12-months to June 2011 an increase of 5,141,362 boardings or +8.5%.
• June monthly patronage was 5,568,034 an increase of 414,865 boardings or +8.1% on June 2010.
• Rail monthly patronage for June is 882,776 an increase of 174,269 boardings or +24.6% on June 2010.
• The Northern Express bus service carried 2,056,890 passenger trips for the 12-months with a growth in June 2011 compared to June 2010 of +14.8%.

ENDS

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