11 May 2015

Consultation opens on variation to Auckland’s Regional Public Transport Plan

Auckland Transport (AT) is consulting on a proposed variation to Auckland’s Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP).

This is a statutory document that describes the services that are integral to Auckland’s public transport network and the policies and procedures that apply to those services. It describes the public transport services that Auckland Transport proposes for the region over the next 10 years and outlines how this vision for Auckland’s public transport network will be delivered.

The current RPTP was completed in 2013 but since then some new public transport initiatives have reached the stage where they need to be added, these include simplified zone fares, light rail, ferry development and New Network services.

1) Simplified Zone Fares

To support the new, connected public transport network being rolled out across Auckland, AT is proposing the introduction of simplified zone fares across the Auckland public transport network. The new simplified zone fares system will allow customers using AT HOP cards to pay one fare for their entire journey on bus or rail, regardless of whether or not they need to transfer between services to complete the journey. Auckland Transport is undertaking a parallel in depth consultation on the detail of simplified zone fares.

2) Light Rail Transit

Investigations into alternative public transport options for those parts of the Auckland isthmus that cannot be served by the Metro rail network have identified that light rail is the best public transport option to provide for increased capacity, reliability and speed. The recent public consultation on the Regional Land Transport Plan also revealed strong support for the concept of light rail. As a result, AT is investigating its introduction on some critical routes as part of a multi-modal improvement package.

3) Ferry Development Plan

Amendments to the current RPTP are proposed to give effect to the Ferry Development Plan prepared in 2014. The Ferry Development Plan identifies actions needed to better integrate ferry services into the wider public transport network, and outlines proposed improvements to ferry infrastructure and service levels.

4) New Network Service Descriptions

To enable implementation of the new bus network (New Network) in areas where community consultation has been completed, changes to the service descriptions in the RPTP are required. Detailed community consultation has already occurred in south Auckland and west Auckland. The consultation processes showed strong community support for the New Network, but also identified some improvements to the planned services that have now been incorporated. As a result of this process, the New Network will be rolled out over the next year or so.

Consultation on the proposed variation to the RPTP runs until 4pm on Friday 5 June. For further information: www.AT.govt.nz/rptp

ENDS

© Scoop Media