Auckland Transport media release
20 June 2018
A new bus network coming to the North Shore
The North Shore will have a new bus network from 30 September, which will be simpler and better connected, and there
will be more buses coming more often.
The new network being implemented by Auckland Transport includes a second Northern Express, the NX2, which will take
customers from Northern Busway stations to Wellesley St and the city centre universities every 5 minutes at peak-times,
and every 10 - 15 minutes at other times.
Connections to local destinations will also be improved. There will be better access to North Shore Hospital, a service
linking Albany Station and Corinthian Drive, and Beach Haven residents can look forward to getting to Glenfield using a
single bus, via Kaipātiki Road.
North Shore ward councillor, Chris Darby sees this is a turning point for bus services in the North Shore, “We’re
looking at the horizon of the biggest step-change in bus access for Shore residents.
“We’re pushing go on improved services to universities and North Shore Hospital, a new cross-Shore link, frequent ferry
feeder buses and much better connections from neighbourhoods to town centres and the Busway.”
Fellow councillor, Richard Hills, says the popularity of local bus services is on the rise, “In the past three years,
the monthly seat capacity of the three major North Shore routes (Onewa, Takapuna to the city centre, and the Northern
Busway) has increased by 460,000 seats.
“This new network will respond by increasing services even more, with a 45 percent total increase – that’s huge! This is
a big win for people who face challenges of full buses, or wanting a direct service from Beach Haven to Glenfield and
Takapuna.”
Cr Darby agrees, “Not only will users receive better services, but they’ll do so in next-level comfort, travelling on
brand-spanking new buses. The wave of bus users is getting larger by the day as Shore residents swap congested car
travel for frequent and reliable bus access. With the new network rollout, this wave will become even more popular.”
Auckland Transport’s Network Development Manager, Anthony Cross says, “The existing North Shore network can be
confusing. Some services do different things at weekends or off-peak, and depending on when people travel, they may have
to take different services from different stops to reach the same destination.
“The New Network is more straight forward. We’ve designed frequent, more direct bus services that connect to busway
stations and shopping centres, where you can easily transfer between services to access more destinations than ever
before.
“To make these improvements we’ve had to reduce the number of routes that run all the way into the City Centre, so for
some journeys a transfer will be required. But the increased frequency and connectivity of the new network will give
many people reduced waiting times and increased flexibility.
“We’re also running out of suitable space for buses in the City Centre, so we need a more efficient bus network. A
higher proportion of the services that come into the City Centre will use double-deckers and the Northern Busway.”
North Shore households will receive a brochure detailing the changes in early September, and there will be a series of
public information events. Korean, Chinese, and accessible versions of the brochure will be available from the AT
website.
Consultation regarding the North Shore New Network took place in 2015, and 2,279 responses were received which
contributed to the final network design.
A few AT school buses will have route changes from Term 4. AT will provide affected schools with detailed information.
Warkworth will also get a new bus network and Hibiscus Coast bus timetables will change from 30 September 2018.
For more information go to: AT.govt.nz/newnetworknorth
North Shore New Network highlights
Northern Busway Services
NX1
Hibiscus Coast Station, Albany Station, all Northern Busway stations and Lower Albert St.
Albany Station buses will run at least every 5 minutes at peak times and at least every 10-15 minutes at other times.
Hibiscus Coast Station buses will run at least every 6-10 minutes at peak times and at least every 30 minutes at other
times.
NX2
Albany Station, all Northern Busway stations, Wellesley St and city centre universities.
Buses will run at least every 5 minutes at peak times and at least every 10-15 minutes at other times.
866
Albany Station, all Northern Busway stations, Ponsonby Rd, Karangahape Rd, Auckland City Hospital and Newmarket.
Buses will run at least every 10 minutes at peak times and at least every 30 minutes at other times. Monday – Friday only.
Frequent routes run at least every 15 minutes, all day, 7 days a week
82
Milford, Takapuna, Wellesley St and Mayoral Dr
83
Massey University, Albany Station, Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay, Constellation Station, Smales Farm Station and Takapuna
95
Glenfield, Onewa Rd and Lower Albert St
97
Beach Haven, Onewa Rd and Lower Albert St
Improved connections to North Shore destinations
Service between Devonport and the Northern Busway at Akoranga Station for the first time (814)
Buses will serve North Shore Hospital more often, from early morning until late evening (845, 856, 928 and 941)
New routes in growing areas, including Long Bay (861), Schnapper Rock (883) and Corinthian Dr (890)
Direct connection between Beach Haven and Glenfield via Kaipātiki Rd (941)
ENDS