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