19 February 2007

Route 68 boost to increase Botany and Downtown connections

Travelling between Botany and Downtown will be easier from Monday 26 February when the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) introduces new bus timetables for Route 68. The new timetable will see weekday buses run more often during morning and evening traffic peaks for longer, offering Aucklanders greater freedom of choice for when they travel.

Fergus Gammie, ARTA CEO says, "Aucklanders commuting to and from Botany, Pakuranga, Ellerslie, Newmarket and Downtown in the morning and evening will be able to catch bus 68 every 15 minutes.

"Route 68 has become a very popular way to get to and from the CBD, and by enhancing the frequency and extending peak times we're increasing travel options for Aucklanders who live and commute along this route. We're aiming to help relieve congestion as well as allowing people an option to increase their leisure time as by sitting on a bus reading.

Mr Gammie explained that Route 68 is important as it helps relieve congestion on Ti Rakau Drive and the Waipuna and Panmure bridges. He says "We're boosting the timetable to help maintain the patronage increases we've seen since Route 68 was first introduced in 2003."

ARTA is working in partnership with local bus operator Howick and Eastern, Auckland City Council and Manukau City Council to develop the service and bus priorities on route to meet the needs of traveling Aucklanders better. The Route benefits from a bus priority on Ti Rakau Drive which helps speed up its travel.

In October 2006 Sunday services were introduced along Route 68. These have proved very popular and passenger numbers quickly increasing. Introducing a Sunday service allowed Aucklanders to visit Botany's Paradise Ice Rink, Xtreme, Botany and Pakuranga town centres, Ellerslie, Newmarket and Downtown any day of the week without the stress of driving and hassle of parking.

Due to the additional Route 68 services being introduced there will be some minor changes to Route 55 which runs from Downtown to Botany.

For more information on bus, train and ferry services, fares, Passes or regional maps showing public transport and cycle routes please call MAXX on (09) 366 6400 or visit www.maxx.co.nz .

The new timetable adds14 new trips each day Monday to Friday on Route 68 gives you more travel choices: Every 15 minutes to Downtown between 6.30am and 9.30am Monday to Friday Every 15 minutes from Downtown between 2.25pm and 5.55pm Monday to Friday

About the changes to route 55 Downtown to Botany

From Monday 26 February 2007 route 55 departing Britomart at 4.10pm will be replaced by route 68 at 4.10pm and Route 55 departing Britomart at 4.40pm will depart at 4.50pm.

ENDS

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