Joint Media Release

29 January 2009

Free ride on highly successful Northern Busway

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and its operators North Star, Ritchies and Birkenhead Transport, North Shore City Council, the New Zealand Transport Agency, and Auckland City Council are inviting Aucklanders to celebrate the first anniversary of the highly successful Northern Busway by enjoying a free ride on Sunday 1 February.

The Northern Busway is a dedicated highway for passenger services that opened in February last year. It provides efficient rapid public transport to those commuting to and from the North Shore by bus. 

ARTA’s Chief Executive, Fergus Gammie says “It’s wonderful to be celebrating this milestone and to reflect both upon what has been achieved through a very effective project partnership and the enormity of the success of this public transport project for Auckland.

“Since opening last year, the Northern Busway has enabled the delivery of greatly improved frequency of services on key routes, better connections and better coverage.  The popular Northern Express service has increased frequency at peak times to every four minutes, and patronage for the service saw phenomenal growth of 86% in 2008 to 1.308 million passenger trips. 

“There are now 88 buses utilising the Northern Busway in the morning peak, between 7.30am and 8.30am providing efficient commuter services. Improvements to the feeder services have also resulted in significantly increased patronage, growing to 322,712, a 46% increase in 2008.”

“To celebrate this success we are offering free travel on all services running on the North Shore throughout the day on Sunday 1 February.

“People can take this opportunity with their families to travel on the North Shore to visit the lovely beaches, go to restaurants or shop.  Alternatively, people travelling on a North Shore bus into the city can visit the waterfront, go to the museum or see a movie” says Mr Gammie.

North Shore City Mayor Andrew Williams says “There will also be a free sausage sizzle and ice-cream for the kids at Albany Bus Station between 12 and 2 as part of the celebrations”.

Mayor Williams is delighted with the tremendous take-up of the Busway over the last 12 months. “The Busway has experienced a phenomenal increase in patronage helped in no small way by our feeder bus services which come from all over the North Shore.  It’s also been fantastic to see our park and ride facilities full - these symbolise just how successful the result of this North Shore City Council, ARTA and NZTA partnership has been.”

“I’m also very proud of the fact that this facility represents the first public transport service linking North Shore City with Auckland International Airport – the Northern Flyer - and that we have been able to negotiate for airport shuttles to use this faster, more efficient route,” says Mayor Williams.

Along with improved services, some of which introduced improved frequency and more direct routes, the launch of the Northern Busway also saw the inception of the Northern Pass integrated fare and the introduction of the first Euro 5 ERG technology vehicle that provides lower emission levels. 

NZ Transport Agency's Acting Regional Manager Tommy Parker said "We're very happy with the way the busway has been operating since it opened, and we're currently working with our partners to extend it north to Silverdale. We're also continuing to improve and refine the operation of the busway. We've recently allowed airport shuttle services to use it and with our partners are looking into other users such as HOVs using it in the future."

Please be advised a normal Sunday timetable will be in operation.  More information on bus timetables and routes can be obtained by contacting MAXX on 366 6400 or visiting www.maxx.co.nz

Food will be served on a first come, first served basis.

ends

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