NEWS RELEASE
28 February 2001
BUSES/BIKES GET PRIORITY ON ELLERSLIE PANMURE HIGHWAY
The bus priority network is set to expand even further following a decision by Auckland City Council’s Transport and
Roading Committee to introduce new measures on the Ellerslie Panmure Highway.
Following consultation with local business associations and owners or occupiers that may be affected, the Committee
agreed to proceed with localised on-the-road changes that will improve travel times and reliability for buses.
“Council is committed to making a visible difference to passenger transport on-the-ground and this is another positive
move in that direction,” says Councillor Catherine Harland, Chairwoman of the Transport and Roading Committee.
The measures include a short (170m) bus/bike lane on the southern side of the Main Highway westbound approach to the
intersection of Great South, Main, Campbell and Wairakei Roads. This will operate weekday mornings from 7am to 9am and
can be used by buses, motorcycles, bicycles, police and traffic enforcement vehicles and emergency vehicles.
In addition bus bypasses that enable buses to travel around traffic stopped at intersections will be introduced at two
intersections. One bus bypass will be located (westbound) at the Ellerslie-Panmure/Mt Wellington Highways intersection
and the second (westbound) at the Lagoon Drive/Church Crescent intersection.
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Bus boarders – the reverse of a bus bay, so it intrudes onto a traffic lane making it easier for buses to stop and to
move back into the traffic flow – will be introduced. Three will be created on Queens Road, Panmure. Two are on the
southern side: one east of the Panmure Roundabout and one east of Basin View Lane. The third is to be placed on the
northern side, just east of the Panmure Roundabout.
Kerb realignments will occur at the stop on the southern side of Ellerslie-Panmure Highway, west of Burt Road and also
east of Banks Road where the bus shelter will be relocated.
To discourage illegal parking by motorists, all the bus stops along the route will be highlighted with green surfacing.
The improvements aim to improve the reliability of services by minimising delays to buses due to traffic congestion or
conflicts with general traffic.
The bus priority measures are part of a joint initiative with Manukau City Council that has approved intersection
improvements and a bus bypass for Pakuranga Road.
Councillor Harland says, “I’m pleased that the lead taken by Auckland City some three years ago in introducing bus
priorities is now being picked up by other Councils and the vision of a region with an integrated network of travel
choices is just another step closer.”
Installation of the priority measures is expected to take place in May.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Councillor Catherine Harland, Chairperson Transport and Roading Committee, tel: 636 8464.