Joint Media Release
ARTA, Auckland Airport, Manukau City Council, Airbus Express and Pacific Tourways
11 June 2008

ARTA delivers more buses, more often to Auckland Airport

Public transport to and from the airport is receiving a huge boost this month with the launch of a brand new bus service between Manukau’s city centre and the airport, and with more frequent and direct services between the Auckland CBD and the airport.

The cost of the Airbus Express service between the Auckland CBD and the airport will also be a bonus for Aucklanders dealing with ongoing petrol price hikes, with a $15.00 one-way fare or $22.00 for a return ticket. Reduced fares will be available for backpackers, students, senior citizens, children and airport workers.

ARTA’s Chief Executive, Fergus Gammie, says, “Increasing passenger transport services to and from Auckland Airport has been a key focus for ARTA over the last few months. We have been working closely with Auckland Airport, Manukau City Council and bus operators Airbus and Pacific Tourways to improve public transport options both for airline passengers and airport workers. For ARTA, improving bus services to the airport is the first logical step, with rail services in the longer-term.

“From 15 June, a brand new bus service will operate between Manukau’s city centre and the airport, and from 16 June there will be major enhancements to Airbus Express services and timetables. There will now be very good reasons for people to leave their cars at home when they are travelling by air, and use an airport bus.”

The Auckland Regional Council’s transport and urban development committee chairwoman, Christine Rose, said Auckland had waited a long time for value-for-money, high-frequency services. “The airport is an important and growing employment centre as well as a main gateway into the city and New Zealand. With these improvements, we’ve lifted Auckland’s game – both as a place to live and as a destination. It’s an important step in the development of the region’s transport network, and an area where we want to continue to improve. Auckland has everything to gain by making its airport connections top-notch.”

Chief Executive of Auckland Airport, Don Huse, says, “The airport is a key part of New Zealand’s transport network and we fully support enhancements to improve access to and from the country’s main gateway. We have been working closely with ARTA to provide a service from Manukau City. With over 12,000 staff working at the airport, and with escalating fuel prices, both these alternative transport options will be warmly welcomed by staff and travellers alike.”

Mr Gammie says, “The new Manukau 380 bus service, operated by Pacific Tourways will run every half an hour, seven days a week and is a great way for airport workers and travellers to travel between Manukau and the airport. The 380 buses will service both the domestic and international terminals, as well as the airport retail centre, and will travel via Papatoetoe station where passengers can transfer to trains for journeys to and from such places as Papakura, Ellerslie or Glen Innes.

“This great new service starts as early as 4.15am from Manukau for the early-birds, with the last bus leaving the airport’s shopping centre at 11.30pm for the night-owls. The timetable is designed to suit airport workers who start and finish their shifts on the hour or half hour, and will be reviewed over the coming months.”

Mr Gammie says, “Users of the Airbus Express bus service will now have a 20% increase in frequency, with the service now running to a new timetable, every 15 minutes throughout most of the day.”

From 16 June, the improved Airbus Express will operate from a new dedicated bus stop at the Downtown Ferry Building, travelling to the airport via a more direct route. This makes it the best way for passengers to get to the airport from the Auckland CBD, and for travellers from Mt Albert, Avondale and Waitakere City there will be an easy connection to and from Western Line trains at Mt Eden station.

Another enhancement will be the phasing in of real-time information signs at key Airbus Express stops, including Queen Street and Auckland’s international and domestic terminals, enabling passengers to see exactly how far away the next bus is.

Over the next two years, the latest generation of low-emission vehicles will be phased in on both the Airbus Express and the Manukau 380 bus routes.

From 16 June, Botany, Otara and Mangere residents will also find it easier to get to Auckland Airport’s domestic terminal, as the Manukau Crosstown service – Stagecoach routes 364, 374 and 375 from/to Auckland Airport – will now also stop at the domestic terminal, in addition to the international terminal it already serves. The service operates from Monday to Friday, half-hourly in the morning and afternoon peaks and hourly interpeak, with a first trip arriving at the airport at 7.00am and the last bus departing the airport at 5.45 pm.

For more information about the Manukau 380 bus service, the Airbus Express services or other public transport services to Auckland Airport call 09 366 6400, or visit www.maxx.co.nz and use the MAXX online journey planner for advice on routes, times, fares and maps.

ENDS

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