Route plan for New Zealand’s first urban busway submitted, with a view to opening in 2021
A route and design plan for New Zealand’s first urban busway has been submitted to Auckland Council, Auckland Transport (AT) announced this week.
The designated route for the busway is between Panmure to Pakuranga in Auckland’s eastern suburbs and is a key project in AT’s plan to provide more frequent and reliable bus services.
“Large numbers of new passengers, who would otherwise be adding to traffic congestion, are expected to be attracted by buses travelling on congestion free lanes every five to 10 minutes between Panmure and Pakuranga,” AT programme director Peter King says.
“The busway is expected to account for about 35 per cent of all journeys across Panmure Bridge in 2026, about 22,000 bus passengers a day.
“Safety improvements for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are also an important part of the project.”
Other improvements planned include replacing the Panmure roundabout with traffic lights, more direct pedestrian crossings, the creation of cycle and foot paths separate to traffic along the same route as the busway.
“Upgrading Panmure roundabout with a signalised intersection will reduce vehicle crashes, provide more direct crossings for pedestrians and improve cycle safety,” King says.
“It will also be possible to cycle or walk on safe, separated paths between Panmure, Pakuranga, and on to Farm Cove and Pigeon Mountain by connecting with the Rotary Walkway along the coast.”
The busway will eventually be extended to Botany to increase time savings and the number of people using public transport.
Construction of the Panmure to Pakuranga Busway is likely to start in 2021, if the route designation is approved in a timely manner.