Auckland Transport Media Release
19 August 2011
YOUR NEW LINK AROUND TOWN STARTS THIS WEEKEND

Mayor Len Brown, Auckland Transport and NZ Bus celebrated the launch of new expanded LINK bus services at an event in the newly opened Wynyard Quarter this morning. A fleet of distinctively branded red, green and amber buses begins operating on the new routes this Sunday.

NZ Bus Chief Executive Officer, Zane Fulljames says: “The introduction of the new services represents a step change in service provision to Aucklanders, and clearly demonstrates the ability of the parties involved to leverage from collective strengths through a partnership model, to accelerate the delivery of sustainable long term improvements in Public Transport.”

The new City LINK and a revised 010 (Wynyard Quarter to Onehunga) service will provide the first public transport services into Wynyard Quarter, Auckland’s new waterfront destination.

Waterfront Auckland Chief Executive John Dalzell says Wynyard Quarter is already proving to be popular with Aucklanders and the new City LINK bus service will make it even more accessible: “With the new bus service there’ll even be more of a reason for workers in the CBD or day trippers connecting from Britomart to come down to Wynyard Quarter and enjoy their new waterfront. Whether it be a for a stroll on the water’s edge or a bite or drink at North Wharf they can jump on the bus and be back in the CBD in a matter of minutes.”

The new City, Inner and Outer LINK services are being introduced as part of a major overhaul of central Auckland bus services, designed to improve public transport around the Auckland CBD and surrounding suburbs.

Building on the success of the existing LINK, the new City, Inner and Outer LINK services are expected to encourage more people on to public transport by providing comfortable and user-friendly bus services that are easy to understand.

Key attributes include:

• Frequent services: City LINK every 7-8 minutes, Inner LINK every 10 minutes, Outer LINK every 15 minutes
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• Services based on maximum wait times, rather than timetabled services

• Simple routes connecting popular central Auckland locations:

• Buses branded for easy identification

• Reasonable fares: City LINK free, Inner LINK $1.80, Outer LINK maximum $3.40

• New high quality buses that are air conditioned, wheel-chair accessible, child buggy friendly and meet Euro 5+ emissions standards.

Auckland Transport is implementing a comprehensive public information campaign to raise awareness and support customers through the changes.

The recent changes will be reviewed in six months to assess how well they have worked. Auckland Transport is seeking feedback, either via the feedback form on the MAXX website (www.maxx.co.nz) or the MAXX Contact Centre on 0800 10 30 80.

Auckland Transport is urging bus customers to visit the MAXX website and find their new journey plan prior to the new services starting on Sunday.

LINK Service Details

Routes (refer to attached map):

• The existing LINK will be renamed Inner LINK and have some of its route changed to make it more direct and reliable, including shifting off Queen Street to Albert Street.
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• City LINK will replace the existing City Circuit and service Wynyard Quarter

• Outer LINK will provide access to city fringe suburbs like Pt. Chevalier, Mt Albert, St Lukes, Mt Eden, Epsom, Newmarket and Parnell, as well as the universities and Wellesley St in the city centre.

Frequency:
• City LINK runs every 7-8 minutes*, 6.30am - 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and every second bus stops in Wynyard Quarter (every 15 minutes*.) On Sundays and Public Holidays, City LINK runs every 10 minutes* 7am-11pm (every 20 minutes* to Wynyard Quarter.)

• Inner LINK runs every 10 minutes* (both ways) 6.30am-8pm weekdays and every 15 minutes evenings to 11pm and 7am-11pm weekends and public holidays.

• Outer LINK runs every 15 minutes* (both ways) 6.30am-11pm Monday to Saturday and 7am -11pm Sunday and public holidays.

Fares:
• The new City LINK bus will remain free until the end of this year as part of the service introduction period. From 1 January 2012, the City LINK will remain free to HOP card users and cost 50 cents for other full-fare cash paying passengers with other concessions for school students, children and seniors.

• The new Inner LINK service, which replaces the existing LINK service, will retain a flat $1.80 fare and run a revised route that provides a more direct and reliable service for customers.

• For the new Outer LINK bus service, customers will pay no more than the standard two stage fare of $3.40 which will connect central suburbs including Herne Bay, Pt. Chevalier, St Lukes, Mt Eden and Newmarket.

About Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport is a Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council. It is responsible for all of the region’s transport services (excluding state highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport.

Among its main tasks are:
• To design, build and maintain Auckland’s roads, ferry wharves, cycleways and walkways.
• Co-ordinate road safety and community transport initiatives such as school travel
• Plan and fund bus, train and ferry services across Auckland.
For more information go to www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz.
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