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AMETI busway plans funding approved

Funding for the planning of an Auckland busway approved, with construction due to start in 2017

Funding has been approved to further develop plans for an Auckland, New Zealand, busway as part of the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI).

The NZ Transport Agency has approved design funding of $20.9m – with it subsidising $11m – for the Panmure to Pakuranga section of the project.

It will be the next stage after the current work in Panmure, which comprised the new Panmure Station and a new link road between Mt Wellington Highway and Morrin Rd.

Auckland Transport aims to begin construction in 2017, subject to approval of construction funding and consents.

Auckland Transport Chairman Lester Levy says the popular Panmure Station and a new road are just the start of major transport improvements for the area.

“This funding will allow us to further develop the design of the busway and other major transport projects,” he says.

“Public transport is currently a poor option because buses get caught in the same congestion as cars, resulting in long travel times.

“Large numbers of passengers are expected to be attracted by quicker, frequent and more reliable buses on lanes separate to traffic.”

Buses will run every five to 10 minutes most of the day and travel times will be reliable.

It will take about 27 minutes to get between Pakuranga and Britomart by bus and train, about eight minutes quicker than currently.

Auckland Transport will continue to consult with residents, businesses and the community in the project area before applying for a land designation in the second quarter of 2015.

This will be followed by a publicly notified hearing.

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