Northern Express service builds on Auckland’s Rapid Transit Network

19th October 2005. The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today announced a new, high frequency, seven day a week, express bus service which will, for the first time, offer a direct connection from the North Shore to Britomart in Downtown Auckland.

The Northern Express Service begins operation on 6 November, is funded by ARTA and operated by Ritchies Transport Holdings Ltd.

ARTA’s Chief Executive, Alan Thompson said, “The Northern Express Services and the direct connection with Britomart is part of ARTA’s strategic focus on developing a rapid transit network and associated services for the Auckland region which connects, buses, trains and ferries, making it easier for Aucklanders to travel around the city using public transport.

“ARTA recognises that in order to encourage more people to use public transport, we not only need to increase the capacity and frequency of our services but we also need to deliver a major improvement in the quality and reliability of the travelling experience. To this end the Northern Express buses not only run every fifteen minutes but are new, modern and air-conditioned and are branded with the region’s passenger transport brand, MAXX”.

Mr Thompson said, “The new Northern Express Services are part of progress on the Northern Busway project. The future Busway, which is due for completion at the end of 2007, will run alongside the northern motorway, and will be complemented by upgraded suburban bus stations as well as a total of 5 new Busway stations, bus shelters, bus priority measures, real time information and improved timetable information. While the Busway is being built, the Northern Express buses will use the motorway. The project is a partnership between ARTA, the North Shore City Council and Transit New Zealand”.

Mr Thompson added, “It is gratifying that the Auckland Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS), today recognised the necessity for a ‘High Passenger Transport’ option with the requirement for increased provision of public transport for Auckland with a target of forty nine per cent of motorised trips into the CBD by 2016 by public transport compared to 32 per cent now, giving strong endorsement to ARTA’s strategic focus”.

The Northern Express services are two directional, all day (including evenings) seven day a week express services. Passengers can catch the services at the Northern Busway’s new stations at Albany and Constellation for direct north and southbound travel. They can also transfer to the Northern Express from other North Shore suburban services and from buses, trains and ferries at Britomart, with short wait times due to the high service frequency.

ENDS

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