Fears new Auckland busway build could increase congestion on Pakuranga Road

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

The Eastern Busway will include three new stations in Panmure, Pakuranga and Botany and carry 7500 passengers during peak hours.

Construction work on a new busway could increase congestion on one of New Zealand's busiest roads, critics say.

The $1.4 billion AMETI Eastern Busway will carry passengers to new stations in Botany, Pakuranga and Panmure in east Auckland.

Pakuranga Road is the 6th most trafficked stretch of road in the entire country carrying approximately 50,000 cars per work day.

As part of the two-year construction project, a T2/bus lane is proposed for Pakuranga Rd, the sixth busiest stretch of road in the country, with work commencing this Friday.

Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown said the interim bus lane would put further pressure on motorists during morning peak periods by taking a lane away from general traffic.

*Information sessions about Eastern Busway

*Demolition of 61 council owned properties has commenced for AMETI project**

“The vast majority of people in Pakuranga do not travel to the CBD for employment and 85 per cent of those who travel along Pakuranga Road are travelling in single occupant vehicles,” he said.

'A T2 lane will only increase traffic congestion for the vast majority of road users and will do little to incentivise increased public transport usage.”

Auckland Transport spokesperson Matt Poland said the proposed T2/bus lane was not part of the final Eastern Busway project.

'The temporary T2/bus lane is part of a wider traffic management plan that will remain in place during the two-year construction phase,' he said.

'These traffic management measures are designed to minimise the impact of construction by providing more choice.'

The busway aims to improve transport choices and journey times to accommodate an eastern suburbs population expected to reach 160,000 by 2030.

Auckland Transport chief executive officer Shane Ellison said the new busway would connect East Aucklanders to other parts of the region and improve access to employment opportunities.

“The Eastern Busway will help unlock the economic potential of one of Auckland’s fastest growing areas, providing significantly improved access to other parts of the region,” he said.

Half Moon Bay Resident and Ratepayers Association chairman Keith Ingram said the project was flawed as it assumed residents in the eastern suburbs all wanted to travel to the central city.

'Auckland Transport do not have their public transport system designed to meet the people's needs. They think everyone wants to go to the CBD, so the entire transport system is designed to take you from the suburbs to the city,' he said.

'If you're from out east and you're working in Onehunga, Mt Roskill or the airport, you cannot get public transport to get to work so you have to use your car. The buses don't go where the people want to go.'

Howick Youth Council Chairperson Jack Collins said the Eastern Busway would be beneficial for students.

“One of the main ways youth travel around to get to university, school and work is through public transport. So, we're supportive of AMETI that will make things easier and faster for young people to get around,' he said.

The first stage of the project will involve the construction of a bus route between Panmure and Pakuranga.

Construction on a station in Pakuranga and an extension of the bus route to Botany is expected to be completed by 2026.