New Public Transport network consultation

It's been a bit quiet around here recently. However, Auckland Transport has just started consultation on the proposed new public transport network for South Auckland. The biggest change in the region is the removal of express buses from Papakura to the city (which currently take around 1 hour 20 minutes), and using buses to feed to the railway station instead - the same journey to the city on the current diesel trains takes around 50-55 minutes, which will decrease with the new electric trains. This will also allow more frequent feeder services, allowing passengers to "turn up and go" rather than plan around a timetable.

Auckland Transport has posted a media release on consultation at Mangere.

The way Aucklanders use public transport is about to change. Auckland Transport is moving to a simpler and more integrated public transport network for Auckland and the change is starting in the south.

In Mangere today, Mayor Len Brown officially launched public consultation on the New Network of buses and trains.

He says, “The changes we are proposing will transform Auckland’s bus network, starting in South Auckland, where the need for better transport services is greatest.

“The current fragmented set of bus routes will be replaced by a sensible network, with more buses at peak times and interchanges, so people can move around the city more easily.”
The New Network is a region wide public transport network which is proposed to deliver bus services at least every 15 minutes throughout the day, seven days a week on major routes between the hours of 7am to 7pm. Services will connect better with train services for those customers who require connections.
The New Network will be rolled out by Auckland Transport over the next three years starting with bus services in South Auckland in 2014/15.
Auckland Transport’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Edmonds says; “We are in a period of transformational transport change in Auckland.
“If Auckland is to cope with expected growth, public transport must become a very real transport choice for more of us. But we need to make bold changes to provide a better level of service, respond to public demand and provide better connections to the places people want to go.”
The consultation on the New Network comes as Auckland Transport is about to begin the roll-out of the AT HOP card to buses and the first of the city’s new trains are due to arrive in September for testing.
Auckland Transport is breaking up consultation and implementation for the New Network into several phases, consultation on South Auckland’s network began today in Mangere Town Centre.
In coming weeks, Auckland Transport will have people in the markets, shopping centres, transport hubs and on the streets in South Auckland talking to customers about these changes and getting their views. Brochures will be available in English, Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Korean, Hindi, Punjabi and Chinese.
The public will be invited to fill out feedback forms or go to Auckland Transport’s consultation webpage www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/newnetwork. Consultation is open until 2 August.
A video explaining the new network can be seen at: http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/improving-transport/new-network/Pages/default.aspx

Consultation on routes in other regions in Auckland, and to Pukekohe, Waiuku, Tuakau and Port Waikato will follow at a later date.

Other, notable changes in this proposal include the closure of Westfield and Te Mahia railway stations due to low patronage.