Auckland Regional Transport Authority and Auckland City Council

9 August 2007

Important changes to The Link bus route from Sunday

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and Auckland City Council advise that from Sunday, 12 August 2007 The Link bus route will change. The new route means buses will travel down Grafton Road instead of crossing Grafton Bridge to Symonds Street.

This route change will be effective until Grafton Bridge is strengthened as part of Auckland City Council's Central Connector initiative, a dedicated busway project that will connect the CBD with Newmarket. When the strengthening work is complete, Grafton Bridge will be able to withstand a one-in-a-thousand-year earthquake; easily support new heavier, low emission buses and carry light rail in the future.

From Sunday, The Link buses heading towards the CBD (clockwise route) will travel as usual to Park Road, then turn right into Grafton Road, left onto Symonds Street, right into Wellesley Street, and then continue their normal route. The bus stops near Langham Hotel in Symonds Street and at 25 Symonds Street (outside Subway) will no longer be used. Auckland City Council is establishing a new bus stop on Grafton Road just before it intersects with Symonds Street, providing easy access to The University of Auckland and AUT University.

Heading away from the CBD (anticlockwise route), The Link will travel as usual to Alfred Street, then straight into Grafton Road, left into Park Road and then continue its normal route. The bus stops at 30 Symonds Street (opposite Mount Street) and 86 Symonds Street (by Whitaker Place) will no longer be used.

There will be no changes to The Link bus timetables.

ARTA, Auckland City Council and NZ Bus are working together to minimise disruption to passengers. The support and understanding of passengers is greatly appreciated.

NZ Bus staff will be at the affected bus stops to direct and advise passengers about the revised bus route.

Passengers can get more information about the revised Link bus route and timetables from MAXX on (09) 366 6400 or at www.maxx.co.nz

ENDS

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