MEDIA RELEASE
13 December 2004

No rest for bus lane improvements next year

Auckland City demonstrated its commitment to better passenger transport with improvements to four key bus routes agreed at Friday’s Transport and Urban Linkages Committee.

“Bus lanes play an essential part in encouraging people to choose bus travel,” says Councillor Richard Simpson, chairperson of the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee.

“Auckland City is playing its part in improving passenger transport by developing a network of bus lanes. We want more people on buses, and more bus lanes to get people where they need to go, faster.

“As we head into the new year, it’s important the good work continues,” says Mr Simpson.

“Enabling the better flow of buses will contribute to a more effective and frequent bus service in and around the city.”

The committee resolved the following improvements to bus lanes:

Quay Street:
- the Quay Street citybound bus lane currently operates 24 hours a day and starts just west of The Strand, finishing at Tapora Street
- Auckland City will undertake consultation on extending this lane to finish at Commerce Street, and change its operating hours to between 7am to 9am only
- consultation with residents and commuters is expected to begin in March 2005.
New North Road and Bond Street intersection:
- Auckland City will commence consultation on a permanent bus advance lane through the intersection of New North Road and Bond Street
- an additional citybound left-turn lane is also proposed for the intersection
- consultation on the proposed changes to the intersection will begin in March 2005.

Donovan Street:
- a new citybound bus lane on the northern side of Donovan Street in Blockhouse Bay, will be installed following consultation undertaken in October this year
- the bus lane will be installed from the bus stop west of Rathlin Street to the bus stop west of Boundary Road and will operate between 7am and 9am, Monday to Friday
- the bus lane is expected to be completed by July 2005.

Mt Eden Road:
- an additional citybound bus lane, between Esplanade Road and just south of Boston Road, will be installed following consultation in October
- the bus lane will operate between 7am and 9am, Monday to Friday
- the bus lane is expected to be completed by July 2005.

Ends

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