Category: Transport Planning

Looking at Transport Planning and Design

Mayor Caught Short on Airport Rail

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Hmmmmmm

 

Yesterday a few of us saw this Tweet from Mayor Len Brown:

 

Effectively I Tweeted right back to the Mayor that what he Tweeted was rather rich by his own doing. In other words the Mayor once had the Airport Rail (from Onehunga) as Priority Two right behind the City Rail Link as Priority One (Airport Rail needs the CRL first to stop congestion between Newmarket and Britomart) but is now Priority NOTHING with the East West road Link now Priority Two.

 

Transport Blog did a piece on the Airport Rail falling to the wayside here: What Is Happening With Airport Rail?

 

So the Mayor gets caught short in a case of all words and no action…

 

Otahuhu and Manukau Transport Interchange Confusion

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Still no clear communication from Auckland Transport

 

Source: Auckland Transport
Source: Auckland Transport

Otahuhu Interchange goes ahead but there is a catch Podcast

 

The excerpt from communications with Auckland Transport:

At the moment, Auckland Transport are operating in a very uncertain funding environment as they deal with potentially lower LTP capital expenditure in the Basic Transport Network (BTN) versus that in the Auckland Plan Transport Network (APTN). 

Auckland Transport have opted to progress design and potentially early works (within funding) on projects that would be funded in earlier years under the APTN to ensure momentum is not lost. 

And in the case of these two projects, the following would be the desired timeline without the constrained BTN funding:

  • Construction on the Manukau Bus Interchange project would start in the 1st quarter of 2015 with target completion in late 2015. Currently, the detailed design process is underway.
  • Construction of the Otahuhu Bus Train Interchange would start later this month with expected completion in late 2015. Currently, the detailed design process is underway.

 

In addition, Auckland Transport are currently exploring re-prioritisation options for these 2 projects.  As this is currently being worked through, no update to the draft LTP has been made. If re-prioritisation cannot be achieved in 2014/15 and in the early years of the LTP, Auckland Transport would only deliver on initial improvements within the current funding, with the delivery of full specification in 2020/21. 

Current Basic Transport Network (the Mayors proposal) budgeted figures:

Manukau Bus Interchange

  • We have design funding of $3.8m in 2014/15
  • Then there is no funding provided in the BTN programme until 2020/21
  • Total required funding is planned at $23.9m (inflated)

Otahuhu Bus Train Interchange

  • We have design and some early works funding of $6.3m in 2014/15
  • Then there is no funding provided in the BTN programme until 2020/21
  • Total required funding is planned at $26.8m (inflated)

—-ends—–

 

 

The BTN vs APTN Funding Situation

 

Context and Historic Posts on the Otahuhu and Manukau Interchange Situation (from oldest to newest)

Public Transport Projects Being Used as Political Weapons?

Update on Otahuhu Interchange

Otahuhu Interchange Proceeds

 

Updates as information comes to hand

 

Update on Otahuhu Interchange

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Confusion

 

This is what happens when Auckland Transport Comms (yes you Wally) either mixes a message up or the managers responsible in overseeing a project do not reply to emails on a given project: ABSOLUTE CONFUSION.

 

I was updated earlier today that rather than Otahuhu Transport Interchange being delayed it has in fact being brought forward to start construction on Wednesday as noted below:

From Auckland Transport

Otahuhu bus train interchange

Auckland Transport plans to build a new bus train interchange next to the existing Otahuhu Railway Station to contribute to a better connected and more frequent service.

Project status: Design
Project zone: South

Project purpose

  • Auckland Transport is moving to a simpler and more integrated public transport network as part of the Public Transport Network Plan.
  • A new network of buses and trains will change the way people travel – including the need for some passengers to transfer at key interchanges.
  • The new Otāhuhu bus/train interchange will be a key transfer station connecting bus users from the region to the rail network.

Helping to serve as a catalyst for growth for Otāhuhu, the new interchange is also expected to attract more people to live and work in the area.

Benefits

  • Better connectivity between bus and rail networks.
  • Will use increased capacity of new electric trains.
  • Improved pedestrian connections in Otāhuhu.
  • Bus services will be more frequent and bus and train timetables will be aligned.
  • New infrastructure provides a catalyst for growth and rejuvenation in Otāhuhu.

Milestones

August 2014 – Public open days.
September 2014 – Completion of detailed design.
November 2014 – Construction begins.
July 2015 – Completion of the bus interchange and concourse (stage one).
December 2015 – Completion of the train platform canopies and upgrade (stage two).

Project details

  • Upgrade of existing Otāhuhu Train Station to a bus and train interchange.
  • The bus component of the interchange will be built on land adjacent to the existing Otāhuhu Train Station.
  • The interchange will incorporate the existing Otāhuhu Train Station, linking the rail platform with two new bus platforms and a terminal building via an elevated concourse.
  • Vehicles will access the site via a new signalised western approach to the Walmsley Rd / Saleyards Rd / Station Rd signalised intersection.
  • The total cost, including investigation, design, construction and land purchase, will be around $25 million.

The new bus interchange will be located next to the existing Otāhuhu Rail Station with construction expected to get underway in December 2014.

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Source: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/otahuhu-bus-train-interchange/

 

So the update that went up from Auckland Transport this morning (thanks for the Presser – not) illustrates phase one starts this week.

This now raises a few more questions around the entire mess owing to Auckland Transport’s comm’s not being the best I can think of across the wider Council organisation.

 

Of course questions around AT comm’s is one thing but when having a search through the Tender/Procurement page of the Auckland Transport website to see what might be going on something went amiss.

 

Let’s start with the Forward Work Program which I can an eye on to see where things are going, and most likely where Councillor Wood started looking last week.

The Forward Working Document 

 

So the Forward Working Document (August) states the Tender should be out and closing at the end of the month. Now with construction starting ahead of time I still checked the ‘Current Tender’ page which showed nothing, and finally the Contracts Awarded page which also shows nothing for a $20m approximate project. Granted the contract could have been awarded this month and the PDF not updated as of yet (last updated 31 October).

Current Tenders 1 Current Tenders 2

 

The Award Contracts Page

 

So I am at a total loss here and am wondering what is going on with:

  • Councillor George Wood was right to draw the conclusion that they have been pushed back to 2021 based on the LTP documents (as I also concluded as well.
  • There hasn’t been any tenders released as noted above.
  • So how come AT is starting construction in two days?

 

At least the Interchange is going ahead. Now to see what is going with Manukau.

 

Early Bird Parking Discontinued in the City Centre

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Auckland Transport to discontinue the option

 

I saw on Twitter earlier today that Auckland Transport were to discontinue the Early Bird parking fee for their three City Centre Parking parking buildings.

This from the AT website:

Downtown car park

Casual parking $3 per hour*

Early bird parking discontinued

From 1 December 2014, early bird parking is being discontinued in Auckland Transport’s Downtown, Civic and Victoria Street car park buildings. Our daily rate of $17 will apply to all day parkers.

  • Historically AT has subsidised people to drive into the city at peak times, which is adding to congestion.
  • Our prices are increasing to dis-incentivise people to drive during one of the busiest times of the day (am peak).
  • Moving forward that money will be used to put into public transport, which is our number one priority.
  • View public transport options.
  • See what AT is proposing with the new public transport network.

Fees

MONDAY – FRIDAY 6AM – 5PM
0-1 hours $3
1-2 hours $6
2-3 hours $9
3-4 hours $12
4-5 hours $15
5+ maximum fee $17

 

…….

Source: https://at.govt.nz/driving-parking/parking-in-auckland/downtown-car-park/