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North Shore Busway off to a good start |
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Written by Will Wilson
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Wednesday, 26 March 2008 |
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The New Zealand Herald has published figures for the first month of full operation for the North Shore Busway and they look good. 80,000 passengers representing a 66% increase over February last year is a really good start.
Unfortunately, as the article points out, bus patronage over the rest of Auckland has taken a dive by 2.2% for the year since June 30 - highlighting a downward trend over the last 5 years.
Interestingly, Auckland Regional Council Deputy Chair Michael Barnett challenged the Auckland Regional Transport Authority's chief executive to offer "something profoundly different" to boost patronage. Perhaps Mr Barnett might like to look this way!
Read the NZ Herald article here
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More Public Transport Angsting |
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Written by Will Wilson
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Monday, 25 February 2008 |
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With the Northern Busway up and running the New Zealand Herald has run another "your views" about the state of public transport in Auckland to see if people would get out of their cars if we had better public transport. This would have to be a major issue for the Busway - if people do not get out of their cars, then that $300m investment will look a bit lame. Likely it will pressure transit authorities to open the dedicated bus lanes to other users.
Seems a mixed bag of feedback. Some of the responses seem to indicate that the Busway itself may be working. Other comments for those that live on the North Shore and commute across the Shore suggest things may not be so good. The Busway focus has been to create an express corridor - North Shore to City. Also those that live to the West side of the North Shore might still have a problem. Interesting to note that one commentator said this is where most of the "workers" live - the ones likely to need good public transport.
Well, still early days for the Busway but it would be good to continue to monitor the feedback and see just what lessons can be learned if any.
Read the feedback here
Image courtesy of www.transit.govt.nz
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Will Eden Park be ready for the Rugby World Cup 2011 |
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Written by Will Wilson
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Tuesday, 19 February 2008 |
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A recent article in the New Zealand Herald has raised the question of whether the preparations will go smoothly for the Rugby World Cup to be held at Eden Park. This after International Rugby Board bosses visited and gave the current plans an A+ grade.
The article is a lead in to the Herald's latest "Your views" section. Some of the very first responses already point to North Harbour stadium as the choice.
Again the question also has to be asked - can Auckland transit handle this? Can North Shore transit handle this if it is given the venue?
Read the article and views here
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North Harbour Stadium passes inspection by FIFA |
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Written by Will Wilson
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Saturday, 16 February 2008 |
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As reported on their website, North Harbour stadium has passed inspection by soccer authority FIFA as the major venue for the inaugural world under-17 women's World Cup. This event will be held in New Zealand from October 28 to November 16
2008.
North Harbour CEO Brendon O'Connor says he is delighted with the endorsement of the Stadium.
"We are very much looking forward to hosting the tournament later in
the year. The television exposure for the North Shore, Auckland and New
Zealand as a whole will be huge."
The website article notes the tournament will feature 16 teams with North Korea, Japan, South
Korea, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and hosts New Zealand having already
qualified.
The event will be an interesting test for North Shore Transit and the recently opened Busway. The Busway solution and this event can still give North Harbour Stadium a shot at the Rugby World Cup 2011. However, as has been alluded to already on this website, some think Auckland has not done too well with transit and big events so here's hoping we have this one right.
Visit North Harbour's website at www.stadium.co.nz
Photo courtesy www.footballnews.com.au
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Pressure already on Busway to allow car access |
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Written by Will Wilson
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Wednesday, 06 February 2008 |
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There have already been calls to open the North Shore's new $300m Busway to car pooling. The call has been driven by a requirement for bigger and earlier returns from the investment.
These calls have been resisted by promoters of the Busway because they want to see it working for buses first
Read the article here
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North Shore Bus Rapid Transit has teething problems |
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Written by Will Wilson
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Wednesday, 06 February 2008 |
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Reported in the New Zealand Herald, apparently there were some "teething problems" with the new $300m North Shore Busway. The Herald ran a test with a reporter driving a car and another taking the bus over the same route.
Read about who won the great race here
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North Shore $300m Busway opens |
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Written by Will Wilson
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Monday, 04 February 2008 |
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 North Shore's $300m Busway opened today.
Transit NZ's website, www.busway.co.nz reports that the Northern Busway is New Zealand's first purpose built road dedicated
to bus passenger transport, and will form a key part of Auckland's
rapid transit network.
It is expected that it will improve journey speed, reliability and
comfort and will provide an attractive alternative to private vehicle
use, increasing passenger transport modal share, and reducing the
demand for more roading.
The Northern Busway is part of a public transport network linking North
Shore City and Hibiscus Coast with the CBD. Express services and local
bus services will link into the busway through five new busway stations
at Albany, Constellation, Sunnynook, Smales Farm and Akoranga.
Prime Minister Helen Clark led almost 1000 people on a celebratory walk
along the two-lane road built by Transit NZ, next to the Northern
Motorway, for the busway's inauguration at the weekend.
Read about the opening here
An editorial view here
Image courtesy www.busway.co.nz
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