10 February 2006

No fuss bussing comes to Newmarket

The wheels on the bus will be spinning quickly in Newmarket later this month when work is completed on new bus lanes along Khyber Pass and Broadway.

Work begins tomorrow on widening the road at the Broadway and Mortimer Pass intersection, by moving the kerb to make way for a new bus lane.

"The new lanes will help buses get through Newmarket faster and more efficiently, making bus travel a much better choice for people," says Auckland City's Transport and Urban Linkages Committee chairperson, Councillor Richard Simpson. "Auckland City is committed to providing Newmarket with transport options to serve the premier retail hub. The bus lanes will make a real difference to accessing this popular area.

"We're also planning cycling and walking improvements for Newmarket, helping pedestrians and cyclists to better enjoy the area. We'll begin these after the bus lanes," says Mr Simpson.

Auckland City has worked with the Newmarket community, including the Newmarket Business Association, to ensure the improvements meet the needs of businesses, residents, commuters and visitors.

Newmarket Business Association general manager, Cameron Brewer, supports the bus lane introduction. "Bus lanes will undoubtedly improve access to and from Newmarket," says Mr Brewer.

"At peak traffic times we will lose a few on-street car parks, but fortunately Newmarket has thousands of off-street car parks."

The second stage of the project, starting Monday, 13 February, involves road marking and sign installation to prepare the roads for the new bus lanes. The majority of this work will be done at night to minimise disruption.

General traffic lanes are not affected. However, some on-street parking will not be available during morning and evening peaks, between 7am to 9am city bound, and 4pm to 6pm outbound.

Weather permitting, the new bus lanes will be up and running by the end of this month.

"These transport improvements in Newmarket are all part of our push towards a highly integrated, sustainable transport network that Aucklanders can benefit from," says Mr Simpson.

ENDS

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