21 October 2014

Redesign of west Auckland buses now open for consultation

A simpler, easier to understand bus network that connects better with train services, these are some of the proposals by Auckland Transport to improve public transport for west Auckland.

Consultation on proposed changes to bus services including Helensville, Huapai and Kumeu opens today 21 October.

Anthony Cross, Public Transport Network Manager says more of west Auckland including some of the west’s major roads, like Lincoln and Great North Rd, will have more frequent bus services.

“We are redesigning bus services to take advantage of the huge investment in the rail system. In a couple of years, not only will trains be electric, they will also be operating at least every 15 minutes all-day, seven days a week. We will be using buses to connect with those frequent trains at key interchanges like Henderson and New Lynn.”

Two new features of the proposals are a more direct and frequent bus to the North Shore, and an all-day bus service from Westgate to the city along the Northwestern motorway.

The motorway is a major bus route and Auckland Transport is investigating the possibility of a future busway similar to the busway on the North Shore.

“The New Network will change the way people travel – including the need for some passengers to transfer at key interchanges.

“A good example of how this is working, are the recent changes we made to buses in the Green Bay, Titirangi area. We massively simplified bus routes, improved timetables and have much better integration between buses and trains at New Lynn. We’re already finding people are responding positively to those changes and making better use of their local bus services,” says Mr Cross.

The first of the public information events is at the Avondale Markets on Sunday 26 October. There will be maps, displays and AT staff on hand to answer questions.

For more events and to give feedback on the proposals visit www.at.govt.nz/NewNetwork or phone 09 366 6400.

The public have until the 1 of December to give their feedback. After consultation, changes are targeted for the second half of 2016, following a tendering and procurement process.

ENDS

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