New Bus Network for South Auckland is a Go

In 2015

 

After consultations, hearings, open days, drawings, deliberations and everything else that goes to creating a new bus network; the final map is out for the South Auckland bus network.

From Auckland Transport:

FINAL DECISIONS New Network for Public Transport (South Auckland) Between June and August you provided feedback on the New Public Transport Network for South Auckland.  Auckland Transport would like to thank you for your input and advise you that final decisions have been made on the bus routes and frequencies, subject to their affordability, to be determined by the tendering of bus services and appointment of bus operators. The Consultation Summary and Decisions report and updated maps are available for viewing on ourwebsite, in Service Centres, in Local Board Offices, and in the Public Libraries listed at the end of this letter from Wednesday 11 December. Summary of Feedback and Changes Over 1,100 submissions were received, as well as 3 petitions. More than half of the official submissions supported or strongly supported the changes proposed. Around 22 per cent were neutral and 21 per cent opposed the proposals. In conjunction with analysing the submissions a team of public transport planners drove the routes in buses to clarify issues raised. This directly resulted in changes being made to the proposed routes, and some submitters’ suggestions being adopted. The feedback received has resulted in several changes to the proposed bus network.  In short, Auckland Transport originally proposed 28 bus routes within the South Auckland area and are proposing to make changes to 20 of those routes. In addition we are creating 1 new route in Papakura, retaining a peak-only service from Otahuhu to the CBD along the Great South Road and retaining a limited express bus service from Papakura to the CBD. As a result of consultation feedback there are now 30 routes under the final South Auckland New Network. Proposed Closure of Te Mahia and Westfield Stations Decisions have not yet been made on the proposed closures of Te Mahia and Westfield Stations. Detailed reports will be developed separately to address those proposals, and decisions are not included in the consultation report. Other Feedback Feedback relating to fares and ticketing, customer services, interchanges, train stations, accessibility, bus stops, shelters, lighting etc, has been forwarded to the relevant Auckland Transport team for their review, action, or inclusion within their work programmes. Feedback on other Auckland areas not included within this consultation (such as Pukekohe, Waiuku and Sylvia Park) will be considered when those areas are reviewed. Implementation Implementation is currently planned for mid-2015 subject to the tendering of bus services, and completion of the Otahuhu Bus-Train Interchange and other important infrastructure. New Network timetables will be available approximately two months prior to implementation to allow people time to plan their travel. A comprehensive public information campaign will be carried out prior to any services changing. If you would like to receive our New Network newsletters and be kept informed of progress, please click here, and tick “New Public Transport Network”. The Consultation Report will be available for viewing at the following libraries: Botany Library Central City Library Mangere Bridge Library Mangere East Library Mangere Town Centre Library Manukau Library and Research Centre Manurewa Library Onehunga Library Otahuhu Library Otara Library Sir Edmund Hillary Library, Papakura Te Matariki Clendon Library Tupu Youth Library As is the case whenever bus services are changed, we are aware that in making these decisions, some existing customers may be disadvantaged. If you have any questions or require any further information, please go to the website or contact Auckland Transport on (09) 366 6400.

—ends—

 

You can see the network map in the embed below or here:

 

More on the network can be found here: New Network for South Auckland 

Some of the changes noted from Auckland Transport were:

Proposed closure of Te Mahia and Westfield stations

Decisions have not yet been made on the proposed closures of Te Mahia and Westfield stations. Detailed reports will be developed separately to address those proposals, and decisions are not included in the consultation report.

Final decisions: summary of changes

The consultation process resulted in several changes to the proposed bus network. Auckland Transport originally proposed 28 bus routes within the South Auckland area; as a result of the consultation process:

• We made changes to 20 routes;
• We created 1 new route; and
• Retained a limited express service from Papakura to the CBD (which was previously proposed to be removed).

As a result of consultation process, there are now 30 routes in the final New Network for South Auckland.

• Only 8 of the proposed bus routes did not undergo any changes as a result of the consultation:
  • Onehunga to Manukau via Airport (30)
  • Mangere Town Centre to Sylvia Park (32)
  • Manukau Station To Botany Town Centre Via Preston Rd (353)
  • Manurewa Interchange To Wattle Downs To Manurewa Interchange (363)
  • Manurewa To Otara / MIT Via Mahia Rd (364 renumbered to 361)
  • Manurewa To Manukau Station Via The Gardens (366)
  • Wiri Industrial Loops (368/369)

• There were changes to two of the proposed frequent routes – routes 31(A&B) and 33(A&B). These routes were each made up of two 30 minute connector services timed to create a 15 minute frequent service along the common route, before splitting off to different destinations. For both these routes, one of the branches has been upgraded to a frequent service and the other branch will now be a separate service:
  • the connector service from Otara to Botany (31B) has been upgraded to a frequent route (31 – Mangere Town Centre to Botany Town Centre via Papatoetoe and Otara),
  • the 31A service has become a local route (314) which provides access to Papatoetoe train station and connects with bus routes (Otara, Hunters Corner and Papatoetoe) for onward journeys for people in Ormiston/Flat Bush
  • the provision of a frequent service along the length of Great South Road between Papakura and Otahuhu (33A is now 33)
  • the Connector route (33B) has been renumbered 362 and will operate between Weymouth and Manukau.

• Retention of limited express services from Papakura to central Auckland via the motorway (4 morning peak [6.10am – 7.10am] and 4 afternoon peak [4.05pm – 5.35pm]). The need for this service will be reassessed once the New Network and the full electric train service have had a reasonable settling-in period.

• Retention of a peak only service from Otahuhu to the city along the Great South Road (322). Off peak the 322 will terminate at Ellerslie Station2. The need for this service will be reassessed once the New Network and the full electric train service have had a reasonable settling-in period.

• Expansion of the peak only service in Mangere to cover the current 305x route through Favona, and Mangere Bridge, bypassing Onehunga (301 renumbered 309x)

• All Papakura routes to serve the train station and town centre

• A new route created – Opaheke to Papakura

• Minor route changes to the following routes:
  • 309 route to service Robertson, Wakefield, Harania and Favona Rd
  • 313 route extended to Onehunga3 via Orly Ave, Thomas Rd, Massey Rd, Kirkbride, Rd, McKenzie Rd, Miller Rd, Mountain Rd and Coronation Rd
  • 326 route extended to Otahuhu train station via the town centre
  • 324 route to follow current 409 route in Otahuhu/Seaside Park
  • 325 route to serve Tennessee Ave and Blake Road in Mangere East and Dawson, Matthews, Aspiring, Hollyford, Te Irirangi, Diorella in Clover Park.
  • 352 route amended to serve more of East Tamaki and Highbrook
  • 365 route to serve Shifnal Drive.

• Peak only route 311 removed until area develops and demand increases

• Some routes have been renumbered as a result of the above changes to create a consistent route numbering system, make the New Network less complex, easier for customers to understand and to emphasize the Frequent Network.

…

Source: http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/improving-transport/new-network/southauckland/Pages/default.aspx

 

As you would have noted no decision around Te Mahia and Westfield Stations has been made yet. I would say Westfield might be staying open. However, after the Mayor stuck his nose in with Te Mahia Station (which needs to be closed once the new bus routes are up and running) there could be delays as Auckland Transport figure out what to do with that station. Lets hope AT do pull the curtain on Te Mahia once and for all and get cracking on Glenora Road Station.

 

On a final note I did see this:

It shows the routes through the Manukau Interchange although I wonder how AT are going to facilitate that with their interchange design that I gave a very public no confidence vote at the Auckland Development Committee last month.

 

You can see my opposition and actual alternative to the Manukau Interchange in my “Developing a 21st Century Auckland Presentation – The Results” post.

 

Otherwise well done to Auckland Transport for seeing through a successful regime change with the new bus routes for South Auckland. Just get Te Mahia closed and Glenora built and it will be pretty sweet down here public transport wise in the south, 🙂