AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE
24 November 2005
Come and see the CTC: designs now on display
Concept designs for Auckland's first inner city busway linking the CBD with Newmarket are on display and can be viewed
over the next two weeks.
The central transit corridor (CTC) is a $20 million project to introduce bus lanes and other bus improvements between
the Britomart Transport Centre and Newmarket, via key locations such as the University of Auckland and the Auckland City
Hospital.
"The CTC is the most important public transport project happening in our city, and it's fantastic to see the concept
designs progress," says Mr Dick Hubbard, Mayor of Auckland city.
"The CTC will not only better connect Auckland's two premier retail areas - the CBD and Newmarket - but will present bus
travel as a real transport option to access the south and southeast of the region.
"This dedicated bus route is great news for the city and the region. It builds on from the success of the Northern
Busway to create a bus rapid transit network for Auckland, and aims to give Aucklanders an alternative to using their
cars every day," says Mr Hubbard.
Councillor Richard Simpson, chairperson of the council's Transport and Urban Linkages Committee says travel choice is
vital to help solve Auckland's transport challenges.
"Over 65,000 people currently travel the CTC's route every week day. Once completed, it's estimated these people will
save around 14 minutes each way, each day.
"The only way we will get more people onto buses is to make the bus services better, faster and more reliable," says Mr
Simpson.
The CTC corridor starts on Anzac Avenue, and introduces bus lanes and other bus priority measures through to Khyber Pass
Road via Symonds Street, Grafton Bridge and Park Road.
A major part of the project is a structural upgrade of Grafton Bridge, which will be prioritised for public transport.
Only buses, bikes, pedestrians and emergency vehicles will be able to access the bridge between 7am and 7pm, Monday to
Friday.
Bus lanes on the remainder of the route will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"Prioritising Grafton Bridge for buses is integral to the success of the CTC project," says Mr Simpson.
"Sure, it's going to mean changes to the way people travel in this area, but if we are serious about providing public
transport and more choice, we have to act boldly and make these changes.
"The CTC project is aligned with Transit New Zealand's work on Grafton Gully and the Central Motorway Junction. We are
comfortable there are alternative routes for people who have previously used Grafton Bridge during the day.
"Prioritising Grafton Bridge will also create benefits for emergency vehicles. Their trips to the hospital will be less
congested in this area - this is quickly becoming an issue as emergency services struggle to get around the city," says
Mr Simpson.
The designs on display are the final step before the detailed design is completed at the end of this year.
Anyone interested in the project is encouraged to have a look at the designs while they are on display, and provide
feedback to help finalise the detailed design.
A public open day will be held on Friday, 9 December where the council's project team will be available to talk through
queries people may have around the design.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
CTC public displays
Auckland City Hospital
24 to 30 November, use Park Road entrance
Britomart Transport Centre
1 to 9 December, main foyer
Public open day (Auckland City's project team on site)
Friday, 9 December
Britomart Transport Centre, main foyer
9am to 5.30pm