1 June 2005
New North Shore & HBC bus services from 3 July
From 3 July , the people of the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast will see the beginning of a re-designed and logical bus
network that will make it easier to get around their area and travel into Auckland city.
North Shore and Hibiscus Coast bus users will see some changes to their existing routes and operators, and in most areas
will have more services to choose from.
An extensive customer communications campaign which will outline all changes begins on 3 June . Bus users and North
Shore residents will receive new timetable information in their letterboxes, and will be notified of changes at their
local bus stops, on their buses, on posters in prominent locations and via newspaper advertising.
"New services are an important milestone in improving the region's rapid transit system and are a step toward a whole
network of enhanced services for the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast," says ARTA CEO Alan Thompson.
"As a Northern Busway partner, ARTA is committed to ensuring that there are effective and efficient bus services in
place for the busway. Bus contracts were up for renewal this year so it makes sense for us to plan for the future,
rather than wait until the entire busway opens in a few years time, that's why we are taking a phased approach to the
bus service changes, starting with new services in July 3rd," he says
In the ARTA planning process the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast were divided into 10 areas, allowing service contracts
to be awarded for each area. Following a robust tender process, ARTA awarded contracts based upon the best value
service, judged on price, performance and public demand.
"North Shore and Hibiscus Coast bus users will see a 28% increase in services across their network and a 40% increase at
peak travelling times. For example, this will mean 3,300 extra seats in the morning peak," says Mr Thompson.
"Bus companies Birkenhead Transport, Ritchies and Stagecoach will be providing these services, and we look forward to
working with them and the local councils to ensure a smooth transition where there are route or operator changes," he
says.
The Northern Busway project is a partnership between Auckland City, North Shore City Council, Transit New Zealand and
ARTA that will provide a two-lane, two-way, high-speed dedicated bus service along the Northern Motorway. Busway buses
will also benefit from Auckland City's planned changes to inner city bus priorities that have been developed with the
Northern Busway in mind.
Detailed information about new bus services and changes to existing routes will be available from next week at
www.maxx.co.nz or by phoning MAXX on 09 366 6400.
Dedicated school bus services will not be affected by these changes.
ENDS