NEWS RELEASE

28 February 2001

BUSES/BIKES GET PRIORITY ON ELLERSLIE PANMURE HIGHWAY

The bus priority network is set to expand even further following a decision by Auckland City Council’s Transport and Roading Committee to introduce new measures on the Ellerslie Panmure Highway.

Following consultation with local business associations and owners or occupiers that may be affected, the Committee agreed to proceed with localised on-the-road changes that will improve travel times and reliability for buses.

“Council is committed to making a visible difference to passenger transport on-the-ground and this is another positive move in that direction,” says Councillor Catherine Harland, Chairwoman of the Transport and Roading Committee.

The measures include a short (170m) bus/bike lane on the southern side of the Main Highway westbound approach to the intersection of Great South, Main, Campbell and Wairakei Roads. This will operate weekday mornings from 7am to 9am and can be used by buses, motorcycles, bicycles, police and traffic enforcement vehicles and emergency vehicles.

In addition bus bypasses that enable buses to travel around traffic stopped at intersections will be introduced at two intersections. One bus bypass will be located (westbound) at the Ellerslie-Panmure/Mt Wellington Highways intersection and the second (westbound) at the Lagoon Drive/Church Crescent intersection.

MORE

Page Two

Bus boarders – the reverse of a bus bay, so it intrudes onto a traffic lane making it easier for buses to stop and to move back into the traffic flow – will be introduced. Three will be created on Queens Road, Panmure. Two are on the southern side: one east of the Panmure Roundabout and one east of Basin View Lane. The third is to be placed on the northern side, just east of the Panmure Roundabout.

Kerb realignments will occur at the stop on the southern side of Ellerslie-Panmure Highway, west of Burt Road and also east of Banks Road where the bus shelter will be relocated.

To discourage illegal parking by motorists, all the bus stops along the route will be highlighted with green surfacing.

The improvements aim to improve the reliability of services by minimising delays to buses due to traffic congestion or conflicts with general traffic.

The bus priority measures are part of a joint initiative with Manukau City Council that has approved intersection improvements and a bus bypass for Pakuranga Road.

Councillor Harland says, “I’m pleased that the lead taken by Auckland City some three years ago in introducing bus priorities is now being picked up by other Councils and the vision of a region with an integrated network of travel choices is just another step closer.”

Installation of the priority measures is expected to take place in May.

ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Councillor Catherine Harland, Chairperson Transport and Roading Committee, tel: 636 8464.

© Scoop Media