Residents to have their say on public transport for the Waitakere Ranges

Waitakere Ranges residents are invited to submit their feedback on what public transport services they may require or use, in a public transport survey open from 18 March to 29 April 2016.

Potential destinations, routes, and frequencies are being explored, as well as how popular any services are likely to be.

“Working with the Waitakere Ranges Local Board, this survey is the first step in investigating the level of demand for low-density west coast communities such as Piha, Karekare, and Te Henga (Bethells), as well as the urban fringe areas beyond Green Bay, Titirangi and Glen Eden” says Anthony Cross, Public Transport Network Manager.

“It will help us to understand if a tailor-made solution, such as the Kowhai Connection service which currently serves Warkworth, may be a viable possibility.”

Aimed at residents of areas that currently have no scheduled public transport, have limited service, or that will have services removed when the new West Auckland bus network is introduced in early 2017, the residents’ survey follows on from a survey targeted at visitors to the west coast beaches and the Arataki Visitors Centre, undertaken by the Waitakere Ranges Local Board over summer.

Sandra Coney, Chair of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board, says “We’re pleased with the level of feedback we received from the visitors’ survey, which ran during late January and early February, and obtained 541 submissions. This next stage of research will give us an overall picture of what the community’s needs are.”

Mr. Cross adds, “Although we’re starting the conversation now, due to the implementation of the New Network for the urban and suburban areas of Auckland, any new public transport services for the Waitakere Ranges are unlikely to be submitted for funding before 2018. Starting the process early gives us time to work through what might be multiple options for an area such as the Waitakere Ranges.

“We want to thank the community in advance to those who participate and send us their feedback,” says Mr. Cross.

The results of the survey will be made publicly available once feedback has been analysed, and the next steps have been clarified.

How to participate in the survey:

• Visit www.AT.govt.nz/haveyoursay and complete the survey online
• Complete the FREEPOST feedback form in the brochure being mailed to residents during the week of April 4th.
• The brochure is also available at local libraries (Glen Eden, New Lynn, Ranui, Titirangi, Waiatarua, Henderson, Piha), Service Centres (New Lynn Train Station, Western Service Centre), and Local Boards (Waitakere, Henderson-Massey, Whau).

The survey is for residents and property owners of: Piha, Karekare, Te Henga (Bethells), Karekare, Waiatarua, Oratia, Henderson Valley, Wood Bay, French Bay, Paturoa Bay, South Titirangi, Huia, Cornwallis, Parau, Konini, Woodlands Park, Laingholm.

ENDS

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