Joint media release: Auckland Regional Transport Authority and Manukau City Council

11 July 2006

Greater Transport Choices for Manukau

Changes to bus services in Manukau, including introducing improved services to Botany South and Wattle Downs and more frequent Sunday and public holiday services on some routes, were announced by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and Manukau City Council today. The enhanced routes and services, offering Aucklanders better connections to bus and train services, are focused on getting people about Manukau and through the new Manurewa Interchange. The new bus services will start when the Manurewa Interchange becomes operational on Sunday 16 July.

The new bus services will be communicated to residents and people travelling in the area via a MAXX marketing campaign.

Mark Lambert, Acting General Manager Passenger Services ARTA says, “We’re pleased to be improving bus services for Manurewa’s residents and visitors and encourage people to look out for the information on the changes. Some bus routes and stops and the train station location will change once the new Manurewa Interchange opens.

“The changes are designed to offer more convenient bus services and make the most of the improved connections the new Manurewa Interchange will offer. Examples include changing bus route 66, linking between Botany, Manukau City Centre and the new interchange, to make it more direct and running it on Sundays, and improving services around Clendon, Weymouth and Wattle Downs.

We’re aiming to develop the region’s transport network so people can travel more easily by bus, train, ferry, by bike or foot and can become less reliant on cars – the Manurewa Interchange is a good example of how we see future transport integration across the region,” explains Mr Lambert.

Steve Dudley Senior Transport Planner Manukau City Council says, “Following feedback from a transport survey conducted by ARTA earlier this year, we’ve been working with them to develop the service changes. Their introduction on Sunday 16 July will coincide with an important step in the development of public transport in Manukau City - the opening of the new Manurewa Interchange.”

Mr Dudley expects the new Manurewa Interchange, with its integrated connection point for bus and train services, will become an important transport hub for the area. He explains the location of Manurewa train station will change to directly behind Southmall to make it more convenient and that some buses will be rerouted next to the new station. Mr Dudley noted that there will also be bicycle parking and more than 200 Park n' Ride spaces at the new Interchange.

The new Manurewa Interchange will have improved accessibility, weather protection and security surveillance. It will be officially opened on 20 July by Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau City and has been developed in partnership by Manukau City Council, ARTA, ONTRACK and transport service operators Veolia Transport, Howick & Eastern and Stagecoach Auckland.

Passengers wanting more information on the changes should call the MAXX contact centre on (09) 366 6400, visit www.MAXX.co.nz or look out for some of the MAXX awareness raising activities including:

- 120 Temporary bus stop signs which will highlight the changes and opportunities
- Mailbox drop to 36,000 households
- Brochures explaining the changes will be placed in dispensers at community centres, libraries and handed out by MAXX Ambassadors in surrounding streets
- Posters on trains and all buses in the area
- Advertising in community papers
- On road timetable and map information (about 300 displays will be changed).

ENDS

About the changes:
- Sunday and public holiday bus services doubled: Routes 454 and 455 servicing Clendon and Weymouth
- More and longer operating services for Clendon, Weymouth, Wattle Downs and Manukau City Centre: Routes 454, 455 and 456 will operate longer hours Monday to Friday
- More direct route between Botany, Manukau City Centre and Manurewa Interchange, including new Sunday services: Route 66
- New Manurewa Interchange: Conveniently located behind Southmall, offering a connection between bus and train services which run around the region
- Manurewa train station relocation: Moving to behind Southmall (as part of the new Interchange).

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