Buses on the move in North Shore City

Buses will soon have a congestion-free run on key roads in North Shore City, helping provide a faster, more reliable public transport system for residents.

Councillors have given approval to transit lanes (for buses and vehicles with three or more occupants) in Constellation Drive, Forrest Hill Rd and Shakespeare Rd, as well as other bus and cycle improvements across the city.

"A majority of residents have told us they want better public transport in the North Shore, and these measures will help bring a better, faster bus service," North Shore City's infrastructure and environment committee chairperson, Tony Barker, says.

"They are also part of our commitment to helping build the Northern Busway system, a comprehensive public transport service for the city, that is due for completion in 2007."

Bus priority measures given the go-ahead are: * Transit lanes in three key roads; * Bus-only acceleration lanes on East Coast Rd, between Milford and Forrest Hill Rd; * Bus stop improvements in Milford; * Off-road shared cycle and pedestrian paths on Constellation Drive, Forrest Hill Rd, Shakespeare Rd and East Coast Rd; * Traffic lights at the intersection of East Coast Rd and Aberdeen Rd.

"These measures are real sign of the council's commitment to improving public transport," Tony Barker says.

"We have consulted local communities and key stakeholders extensively on each project, and taken their views into consideration. More than two-thirds of people who responded to surveys strongly supported these measures."

The projects will be implemented next year, and are due to be in place by the time the Northern Busway's Constellation Station park and ride opens.

"The city's first transit lane, in Onewa Rd, has shown transit lanes work," Tony Barker says.

"Since we began enforcing the Onewa Rd transit lane, bus patronage and car pooling has risen and buses are running quickly and on time. This is a success we want to repeat in key roads across the city."

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