Auckland’s city centre bus network has taken a major step forward, with the first stage of the Wellesley Street bus improvements now complete and in operation.
Buses began using the upgraded corridor on April 19, following a dawn blessing ceremony led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Ngāti Tamaoho, which marked the project’s completion and its cultural significance.
The works form part of Auckland Transport’s City Centre Bus Plan, positioning Wellesley Street as a core east-west corridor designed to handle growing bus volumes and improve reliability across the CBD.
The upgrade comes ahead of the City Rail Link opening, with Te Waihorotiu Station expected to become one of Auckland’s busiest interchanges, linking high-frequency buses with rail and active transport connections.
Auckland Transport’s Head of Public Transport Services Planning and Development Pete Moth says the project is designed to improve both bus operations and the wider city experience.
“This project is focused on making Wellesley Street a more inviting public space and thriving transport hub – whether you’re walking, catching public transport, or spending time in the area,” Moth says.
“Traversing Wellesley St can currently be quite a painful experience for people on buses or on foot. With Te Waihorotiu station set to become the busiest bus and train interchange in Auckland, we must provide a better experience for people moving in the area.”
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australasia’s bus and coach industry.
- Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly ABC magazine
The improvements align with Auckland Council’s City Centre Masterplan, a long-term strategy that prioritises public transport, walking and cycling within a compact urban core.
Under this approach, known as Access for Everyone, the network is being restructured to separate traffic types and prioritise buses along key corridors, ensuring more efficient use of limited city space.
Wellesley Street is one of four primary bus corridors identified in the plan, alongside Customs, Symonds and Albert Streets, forming the backbone of future bus movements in the city centre.
The upgraded section between Albert and Queen Streets includes new bus shelters, wider footpaths and improved pedestrian crossings, alongside upgraded lighting and public space amenities.
Bus priority has also been strengthened, particularly for eastbound services, helping improve travel times and reliability along the corridor.
Wellesley Street is expected to carry up to 2,200 buses per day by 2032, up from around 1,300 currently, reflecting its growing role in Auckland’s transport network.
To support this increase, the City Centre Bus Plan will see more routes run through the city rather than terminating, reducing layovers and freeing up kerbside space for other uses.
This shift is expected to improve efficiency across the network while supporting better integration with rail services once the City Rail Link is operational.
The upgrades also extend below ground, with new power infrastructure, upgraded water systems and the completion of the Te Waihorotiu underground station supporting long-term capacity and resilience.
Moth says the project is part of a broader transformation of the corridor.
“This project is the first stage of AT and Council’s longer-term vision for Wellesley St, which will ultimately provide better journey experiences along the whole 2.2km corridor,” Moth says.
To support the changes, a Midtown Traffic Circulation trial has been introduced, limiting general traffic in key sections and prioritising buses during peak periods.
The trial will run for up to two years, allowing Auckland Transport to monitor performance and refine how buses and other modes move through the city centre.
Further planning is already underway for stage two of the Wellesley Street upgrades, extending improvements towards Victoria Park and Beaumont Street to support higher bus volumes and better integration with the wider network.
Read more:
- Emerald Coaches buys three QLD bus businesses
- Geelong icon put on the market after centenary celebrations
- QBIC and Translink crown bus industry award winners
- Inside the unique experience of Victoria’s Route 190
- Long-standing QLD operator sold to fellow family business
