Towards a New Network

Submissions/Feedback Received

Consultation on the new public transport network for South Auckland closed on Friday 2nd August, with over 1,100 official submissions received.

In addition three petitions were received in relation to:

1. The proposed closure of Te Mahia Station

2. The proposed closure of Westfield Station

3. The proposed removal of express bus services

More than half of the official submissions supported or strongly supported the changes proposed. Around 22 per cent were neutral and 21 per cent opposed the proposals. Even though there was high support Auckland Transport will be making changes to the proposal as a result of the consultation.

We have been working hard:

• analysing submissions,
•
• driving the route recommendations (by bus) that came out of the submissions, to see if they are viable options,
•
• making changes as a result of the feedback,
•
• drafting a consultation report which we aim to have ready for the public by December. The report will highlight key themes and resulting changes to the New Network. It will also include the New Network route map for South Auckland.
•
All submitters will be notified when the report is ready and published on our New Network webpage.

Engaging our community

During the consultation we held 8 open days, worked closely with local boards, handed out nearly 50,000 brochures, delivered over 80,000 information flyers to residents and had AT ambassadors at bus stops and train stations; all to ensure that people living in South Auckland could participate and give their feedback.

As well as holding our own events we attended a number of community meetings, including Randwick Park Residents Meeting, and a Te Mahia Station meeting led by Mayor Len Brown.

IHC were active in getting the disabled community involved, and held five independent events. We were invited along to one of them (pictured) where approximately 30 advocates raised a range of public transport issues experienced by people with intellectual and physical disabilities.

What's ahead

The New Network for South Auckland is expected to be implemented in early 2015. Preparation for implementation includes:

• Bus services to go out for tender in 2014.
•
• A number of infrastructure projects will be developed including the construction of new bus/train interchanges at Manukau and Otahuhu.
•
• New timetables will be produced.
•
• There will be an extensive campaign to inform people of the changes.

Where to Next?

Green Bay/Titirangi

A local consultation is currently being carried out in Green Bay/Titirangi in West Auckland. This consultation includes Blockhouse Bay, Green Bay, Wood Bay, French Bay, Tanekaha, Titirangi, Laingholm, Kaurliands and Glen Eden. Consultation runs till 22nd November 2013.

Whilst this is not an official consultation stage of the New Network project, it implements many of the principles of the New Network; for example route simplification and increased frequencies.

This consultation proposes some quick wins for improving the network in terms of swift implementation (early-mid 2014), without the need for an extensive and time consuming tendering process (which is required as part of the New Network project).

Click here for more information or to have your say

West Auckland

Following on from the South Auckland and Green Bay consultations we had planned to consult on the North Shore services next. However, in order to tie in with improvements to rail and the introduction of electric trains, the next consultation will be for the rest of West Auckland, in mid 2014.

Consultations for Other Areas

The timings and order for consultations in other areas is yet to be determined, but the remainder of the areas to be consulted will include:

• Waiheke (local)
•
• Pukekohe/Waiuku (local)
•
• Hibiscus Coast/Warkworth (local)
•
• North Shore
•
• East Auckland
•
• Central Auckland

About the New Network

The New Network proposes changes to the way Aucklanders travel by public transport, allowing for more flexible travel over a large part of the city, 7 days a week. Due to the scale of change the New Network is being implemented in phases.

Do you have questions about the New Network? For detailed information go to our website, or watch the video for an overview. You can call Auckland Transport on (09) 366 6400.

© Scoop Media