Auckland Transport media release

7 November 2017

New routes, timetables, and buses for East Auckland

A simpler, more frequent, and more connected bus network for East Auckland will begin on 10 December.

With services that are designed to connect through easy transfers to bus, train or ferry, passengers will have access to a far wider range of destinations than ever before.

Auckland Transport’s Network Development Manager Anthony Cross says, “The New Network is all about increasing connectivity. For East Auckland this means three key routes will have buses arriving every 10 to 15 minutes, three local buses timed to connect with the Half Moon Bay Ferry, and increased bus-to-train connections at key interchanges, especially Panmure.

“Only a few months after we delivered the South and West New Networks, there was an increase in public transport use for both these areas. Although change is never easy, we’re confident that this will benefit more people than the current network, and provide a strong alternative to cars.

“Our main message to East Aucklanders is, make sure you’ve planned your new journey and are prepared for day one. This is the biggest change to bus services in Auckland, ever. A settling in period is expected for the first few weeks following implementation. We encourage customers to allow more travel time than usual in the first week.”

With new routes, new route numbers, new timetables, and new buses, AT will be supporting customers through this significant change.

Full details about the new services, including a new timetable, are being mailed to every East Auckland resident next week.

“You can also use our website, come along to an information event, or ask any one of our Ambassadors out on the street in the first week of implementation. A Chinese version of the brochure is available online and is being distributed to key community groups. We want everyone to receive the support they need,” says Mr Cross.

AT’s online journey planner (AT.govt.nz/journeyplanner) will be updated with the new services from 17 November. Customers simply need to enter a travel date after 10 December to plan their new trip. After the launch of the New Network, passengers can track their bus or train in real time with the AT Mobile app.

Full details about the new services are available online at AT.govt.nz/newnetworkeast. Some of the highlights include:

Three new frequent bus routes, all day, every day:

— every 10 minutes from Botany to the City Centre (70)

— every 15 minutes from Howick to Panmure (72C, 72M)

— every 15 minutes from Botany to Manukau (35)

Improved local buses to Half Moon Bay, which are timed to meet with the ferry timetable.

New bus connections to local destinations:

— New services to connect Union Rd, Bradbury Rd, Cascades Rd and Reeves Rd to Panmure (711)

— A new service to connect Otahuhu with Highbrook and Botany (351)

— Improved bus services to Ormiston Town Centre and surrounding suburbs (35, 355)

More direct bus routes for Bucklands Beach, to Panmure (712) and Botany (733), and better connections to Half Moon Bay (714)

A new service for Beachlands and Maraetai, with buses running hourly, 7 days a week.

Changes to Auckland Transport school bus services are also planned, and come into effect from Term 1, 2018. Detailed information is being provided to each school before the end of the 2017 school year.

Mr Cross says, “The new East Auckland bus network was created with the help of hundreds of residents through the 2015 public consultation, but the final decisions were based on many factors. Our aim is to deliver the most beneficial outcome for the widest number of people, with the resources available.”

Public information events:

Date Time Event Address
Sat 18 Nov 08:00 – 12:30 Howick Village Market Picton St, Howick
Tue 21 Nov 12:00 – 18:30 Panmure Interchange Panmure Train Station
Wed 22 Nov 12:00 – 18:30 Botany Town Centre AT Customer Service Centre, Town Centre Dr (near bus stops)
Sat 25 Nov 17:30 – 00:00 Pakuranga Night Market Pakuranga Shopping Centre, Reeves Rd (under The Warehouse)
Tue 28 Nov 06:30 – 12:00 Botany Town Centre AT Customer Service Centre, Town Centre Dr (near bus stops)
Wed 29 Nov 06:30 – 12:00 Panmure Interchange Ellerslie Panmure Highway
Thur 30 Nov 06:30 – 12:00 City Centre 50 Customs St East (bus stop for Eastern services)

Sat 2 Dec 08:00 – 12:00 Beachlands & Maraetai Pine Harbour Fresh Market, 190 Jack Lachlan Dr

Sat 2 Dec 14:00 – 17:00 Beachlands & Maraetai Pohutukawa Coast Shopping Centre (Countdown), 129 Beachlands Rd

Tue 5 Dec 12:00 – 18:30 Howick Information Centre Picton St, Howick
Wed 6 Dec 12:00 – 18:30 City Centre 50 Customs St East (bus stop for Eastern services)

ENDS

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