Night Buses To Bring Aucklanders Home After Midnight
27 August 2001

With the launch of “Night Rider” buses from 7 September 2001, Aucklanders can now catch the bus home after midnight to most suburbs on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Aucklanders will love having the choice of catching a bus to get home on the busiest nights in town. We know people want these services and we are responding to popular demand” said ARC Transport Committee chairman Les Paterson.

Operated by Stagecoach, the ‘Night Rider’ services will leave the Civic Theatre area from 1am, 2am and 3am, travelling along 14 routes across Auckland.

“Stagecoach already operate successful night bus services in Wellington and they have been extremely popular. We fully expect these services will be equally as popular in Auckland,” said Ross Martin, Executive Chairman of Stagecoach.

Stagecoach will provide additional security at the central departure points and on the buses to look after passenger and driver safety. Successful night bus services operating in Wellington and Christchurch have had few security concerns.

This initiative came from a workshop held by the Auckland City Council’s Transport and Roading Committee, after consultation with the council’s youth committee.

Cr Catherine Harland, chairwoman of the Auckland City Transport and Roading committee, said meeting an accessibility need for early morning travellers was a key factor in promoting the service.

“Transport is more than just a nine to five activity and too often we focus on the transport needs of commuters and business travel to the exclusion of other needs such as entertainment,” said Cr Harland

She said passenger transport marketing and promotion was also a driver, with early morning services being a means of encouraging trial of passenger transport.

The Auckland Regional Council is funding the services on a trial basis for two years, with financial assistance from Transfund’s “Kick-Start” funding scheme.

These new services are part of the continual improvements that the ARC, in partnership with operators and local councils, is making to public transport services around Auckland.

“Provision of the after midnight services will provide a cost effective alternative to taxis for many who might otherwise choose to take the risk of driving after drinking. The road safety benefits are likely to be immense,” said Cr Paterson.

Public transport use in Auckland has grown by 20% between 1995 and 2000, ahead of population growth of 16%. In 2000, 7% more passenger trips were made than in 1999 and in the last 12 months 7.6% more trips were made.

For an information sheet on “Night Rider” detailing routes and fare structures, contact Jo Wilson at the Auckland Regional Council.

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