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NZ surges ahead

Auckland commits a whopping $500 million towards public transport, with a focus on bus

Auckland Council will spend $523 million on public transport projects, including 45km of new bus lanes and new bus shelter design for stops throughout the city and all suburbs.

Funds will also go towards four new bus interchanges at Pukekohe, Otahuhu, Manukau and Te Atat, new park and ride facilities at Pukekohe, Papakura, Westgate and Silverdale.

Safety improvements will be made on all bus routes and roads will be improved to allow for better flow of traffic, over the next three years.

Mayor Len Brown says the Accelerated Transport Programme will deliver significant benefits to the transport network across every part of Auckland.

“The message that came back loud and clear from Aucklanders during our consultation was that they wanted strong action and leadership on the transport issue,” he says.

“This starts delivering on that request.

“While we continue to work with the government to secure an alternative funding system to deliver the Auckland Plan Transport Network and work towards an agreed and funded plan for Auckland’s transport future, this interim solution will help us to keep moving.”

The funding commitment will see huge gains made, especially to Auckland’s bus network.

“The improvements that Aucklanders will see right across the region will be noticeable and beneficial to all with new road, public transport, cycle and walkway projects included,” Brown says.

“This issue of transport is the number one issue for our region, and through the Accelerated Transport Network we are addressing issues that need immediate action.”

The transport projects include 45km of new bus lanes, intersection upgrades to reduce congestion and brand new bus shelters built throughout the city and suburbs.

Auckland Transport’s group manager metro Mark Lambert says the level of interest in the trial shelters was very encouraging with 856 feedback responses received.

“Public feedback helped us gauge how the community felt about the trial designs and gave us some ideas how to make Auckland’s new bus shelter even more appealing to bus users,” he says.

“The final design that has been chosen is attractive, adaptable, innovative, safe and comfortable.”

 

The new shelters can be adapted to different sizes and layouts, with the option to build them out of materials that reflect the character of the area, or to feature local art work.

The new shelters will gradually be rolled out across Auckland, starting in the next few months.

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