More people have been catching buses in West Auckland than ever before, with passenger numbers on its new bus network 40 per cent higher than expected.
Auckland Transport (AT) launched the flagship Western Express (WX1) bus service alongside a number of re-designed routes back in November of last year as part of a plan to make it faster and easier for West Aucklanders to travel locally and into the city.
The WX1 runs every 10 minutes from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week and every 15 minutes early mornings and late evenings.
Since then, passenger trips on the 21 new routes have already exceeded AT’s end of year target of 3.5 million, with some routes recording more than double the expected number of passengers.
“The response to the new bus services has been really positive,” MP for Te Atatū Phil Twyford says.
“Westies have been crying out for a solution to chronic congestion for years and it’s good to see progress made towards addressing this.
“The plan to optimise these bus services with smarter use of the roads is already proving successful, with more people moving through the network and less time stuck in traffic. There is certainly more to be done, and I acknowledge AT and their partners for the successful delivery of this project.”
The Henderson-Massey Local Board and Waitakere Ward Councillors say having these improved public transport options is good for the community and for the environment.
“The Northwest is one of the fastest growing areas of Auckland. We welcome these improvements, which are a step in the right direction in addressing the transport inequities that West Aucklanders experience daily,” they say.
“A reliable and integrated public transport system is a must have for West Auckland – we look forward to more progress that will unlock the potential and productivity of the West and bring us closer to meeting our climate goals.”
As part of AT’s plan to make bus trips quicker and more reliable for the growing number of passengers on the new bus network, there are a number of improvements either completed or underway in the Northwest, including:
- Te Atatū Peninsula and Te Atatū South T2 lanes, which opened earlier in the year.
- Bus travel times reduced by as much as 48%.
- Congestion has not increased.
- Speed and productivity benefits for all road users.
- Moves approximately 800 extra people during the morning peak.
- Bus priority lane on Triangle Rd, Massey, expected to be complete by the end of the year.
- Will reduce journey times for bus users heading towards Lincoln Road and to the new Lincoln bus interchange.
- Bus lanes in progress along Fred Taylor Drive and the State Highway 16 on-ramp.
- Will greatly improve the reliability of the WX1 as it heads onto the motorway.
- On-ramp signals can be adjusted to maintain or increase the flow of general traffic when needed.