ARTA Media Release
1 September 2008

North Shore to Auckland Airport with a single ticket

Connecting from the North Shore to Auckland Airport will be much easier from today, with the introduction of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority’s (ARTA’s) Northern Flyer Pass, one transferable ticket that will connect the North Shore with Auckland Airport.

ARTA’s General Manager, Customer Services, Mark Lambert says, “Increasing passenger transport services between the North Shore and Auckland Airport has been a key focus for ARTA over the last few months. We have been working closely with North Shore City Council and bus operators Airbus and Ritchies Transport to improve public transport options to Auckland Airport for North Shore residents.

“With the new Northern Flyer ticket, you can travel from the North Shore – via the Northern Busway – to Auckland Airport and back, all on one ticket. North Shore residents can catch a Northern Express bus from any busway station to Britomart, walk across the road to the Downtown Ferry Terminal and then catch the Airbus Express direct to the International or Domestic terminals at Auckland Airport.”

In a resounding endorsement, North Shore Mayor, Andrew Williams says, “The Northern Flyer ticket is a huge breakthrough for North Shore public transport. Our people have been requesting public transport services to Auckland Airport for years. This has been a very high priority for me and it has the full support of my council.

“Finally, North Shore residents are able to get to and from the airport by means of an affordable, efficient bus link. The Northern Flyer ticket will be warmly welcomed by our residents and the business sector and our thanks go to ARTA for agreeing to back North Shore City’s request to introduce this very positive step in public transport.”

The Northern Express (operated by Ritchies Transport) is a high-frequency bus service that operates every 5 minutes during peak times, and every 10 minutes inter-peak and from 8am to 6pm on weekends; travelling via all Northern Busway stations.

The Airbus Express is scheduled to depart every 15 minutes during daylight hours (traffic conditions dependent).

Adult Northern Flyer ticket costs $18* one-way or $30 return. Concession prices are $15 one way for a child, student or senior citizen, or $23 return. Concessions are available to passengers with the relevant identification

Tickets for both single or return journeys between the North Shore and Auckland Airport will be available at the ticket machines or kiosks at the Northern Busway stations, on the Northern Express buses and on the Airbus Express. Return tickets are valid for three months.

_The new Northern Flyer ticket is officially launched by ARTA and the North Shore City Council today.

For more information about the Northern Flyer ticket and about public transport services to Auckland Airport call MAXX on (09) 366 6400 or at www.maxx.co.nz

*A normal adult fare on the Airbus Express only (from the CBD to Auckland Airport) costs $15 one-way and $22 return.

ENDS

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