Gimme Shelter

Watch this space – Auckland Transport wants you to have your say on three stunning new bus shelter designs about to be unveiled in the central city).

The three shelters being built on Symonds St are prototypes which Auckland Transport will use to gather feedback from the public.

The new designs will then be adapted for most bus stop locations and gradually be rolled out across the region.

Auckland Transport’s Group Manager Public Transport, Mark Lambert says there are currently more than 20 different bus shelter designs across the region, varying in quality and usability. “One of the greatest frustrations for our customers is shelters that don’t provide adequate weather protection. We also need to offer improved information and comfort.

“Before we choose a final design or designs we want to make sure that the shelter is enjoyable and functional from a customer perspective. It also needs to look good and be cost effective.

“We want to improve our customers’ experience when using public transport. Improving facilities for passengers waiting for, or transferring onto buses, is an important step in doing that.”

Auckland Transport is also looking at how cycle parking, retail kiosks, and technology might be incorporated into new shelter designs.

The three Symonds St shelters will be completed by the end of May. From 3 June 2014 the public will be able to input into the final design by going to http://www.at.govt.nz/busshelter

There will also be “ambassadors” on site during the consultation period answering questions and handing out information and feedback forms. Feedback closes on 18 July 2014.

Public Transport Fast Facts:

• More than 71 million passenger trips were made in the year to the end of March 2014 and more than 120,000 people travel each weekday on Auckland public transport services
• Auckland’s bus services travel some 164,000km every weekday -the equivalent of four and a half times around the world
• Auckland’s public transport patronage is growing at around 4% per year
• Auckland’s new electric trains began operating this week on the Onehunga Line and will be progressively rolled out across the region through to 2015.
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