The new bus route will traverse from Auckland Airport to Botany. Photo / Michael Craig
The new bus route will traverse from Auckland Airport to Botany. Photo / Michael Craig
The route for a new 18-kilometre dedicated busway from Auckland Airport to Manukau and Botany has been locked in after appeals.
But an Auckland Transport (AT) press release trumpeting the development has no information on the exact route, the project’s estimated cost or the number of private properties thatmay need to be compulsorily acquired.
Route protection has identified and safeguarded the land needed for the project.
The confirmation comes after AT and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi resolved a series of appeals.
The Herald has sought further information about the route, the number of properties needed and how much the project is likely to cost.
AT’s Andy Huang said “hard planning” to decide the best route, identify the properties required and get a designation in place was complete.
“Confirming route protection is a major milestone towards delivering bus rapid transit between the airport, Manukau city centre and Botany that supports Auckland’s growth and provides reliable travel options.”
He said the journey would take 34 to 38 minutes between Botany and the airport on buses separated from other traffic.
AT said the plan was to deliver the project in stages and Puhinui Station was already open.
The next stages, subject to funding, would be the delivery phase, developing detailed designs, acquiring properties and then building the busway.
The busway project aims to get more people on to public transport, helping to unclog the city's choked roading network. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
“Aucklanders consistently tell us they want a transport system that is convenient, well connected and accessible, whether they’re travelling by car, bus, train, ferry, bike or on foot,” Huang said.
“The Airport to Botany busway delivers on that vision, connecting the rapid transit network by linking to the Eastern Busway at Botany and the rail network at Puhinui. It will link key residential and employment hubs in South and East Auckland with a dedicated corridor for rapid transit, while also supporting walking and cycling.”
Auckland Airport’s Mary-Liz Tuck said this was another step towards a more connected Auckland.
“Right now, most travellers and airport workers, around 40,000 people a day, rely on private vehicles to reach the airport. But as the city grows to nearly 2.5 million by 2048, having reliable, safe and efficient public transport links will be essential.
“Projects like Airport to Botany are about planning ahead and making sure the airport remains accessible and well connected.”
Route stations would connect to the rail network at the Puhinui and Manukau stations, and with the Eastern Busway at the Botany interchange.
AT said the next steps for the project were to engage with communities in Manukau, Flat Bush, East Tāmaki and Howick to deliver interim busway improvements between Manukau station and Botany – mainly along Te Irirangi Drive – later next year.
The project comes amid plans for an 18km Northwestern Busway, which is still years away from being built and estimated to cost billions of dollars, and the City Rail Link train network, which is due to open later this year at a cost of about $5.5 billion.
