1 June 2005

New North Shore & HBC bus services from 3 July

From 3 July , the people of the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast will see the beginning of a re-designed and logical bus network that will make it easier to get around their area and travel into Auckland city.

North Shore and Hibiscus Coast bus users will see some changes to their existing routes and operators, and in most areas will have more services to choose from.

An extensive customer communications campaign which will outline all changes begins on 3 June . Bus users and North Shore residents will receive new timetable information in their letterboxes, and will be notified of changes at their local bus stops, on their buses, on posters in prominent locations and via newspaper advertising.

"New services are an important milestone in improving the region's rapid transit system and are a step toward a whole network of enhanced services for the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast," says ARTA CEO Alan Thompson.

"As a Northern Busway partner, ARTA is committed to ensuring that there are effective and efficient bus services in place for the busway. Bus contracts were up for renewal this year so it makes sense for us to plan for the future, rather than wait until the entire busway opens in a few years time, that's why we are taking a phased approach to the bus service changes, starting with new services in July 3rd," he says

In the ARTA planning process the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast were divided into 10 areas, allowing service contracts to be awarded for each area. Following a robust tender process, ARTA awarded contracts based upon the best value service, judged on price, performance and public demand.

"North Shore and Hibiscus Coast bus users will see a 28% increase in services across their network and a 40% increase at peak travelling times. For example, this will mean 3,300 extra seats in the morning peak," says Mr Thompson.

"Bus companies Birkenhead Transport, Ritchies and Stagecoach will be providing these services, and we look forward to working with them and the local councils to ensure a smooth transition where there are route or operator changes," he says.

The Northern Busway project is a partnership between Auckland City, North Shore City Council, Transit New Zealand and ARTA that will provide a two-lane, two-way, high-speed dedicated bus service along the Northern Motorway. Busway buses will also benefit from Auckland City's planned changes to inner city bus priorities that have been developed with the Northern Busway in mind.

Detailed information about new bus services and changes to existing routes will be available from next week at www.maxx.co.nz or by phoning MAXX on 09 366 6400.

Dedicated school bus services will not be affected by these changes.

ENDS

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