Ticket for North Shore bus lane jumps $78 million

By STUART DYE, transport reporter

The cost of the country's first busway is now expected to be $78 million more than first thought.

Revised figures for Auckland's North Shore busway reveal roadbuilder Transit needs to find another $60 million while North Shore City Council faces a shortfall of $18 million.

The rise in costs is being blamed on inflation since the original estimates in 2000, greater detail in the plans, and more integration with all types of transport.

While Transit has already budgeted for its increase, North Shore City councillors will meet next week to discuss the funding gap.

Works and environment committee chairman Joel Cayford said no stone would be left unturned in trying to find the extra cash.

"But we are not going to panic," he said.

The authority is responsible for building five busway stations and other associated works, while Transit is behind the 8.5km stretch of road giving buses a dedicated and uncongested path from Constellation Drive to the Harbour Bridge.

The busway will form the spine of North Shore City's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network.

It includes improved ferry facilities, bus priority measures on suburban streets, which connect with busway stations, bus interchange facilities in suburban centres, improved bus services and better information and facilities for passengers.

The council had consulted residents, who had indicated strongly they wanted more investment in public transport.

"We can't do everything at once. That's why we need phased implementation and steady improvements in services," said Mr Cayford.

The busway was one of six major transport projects that underwent an independent review to assess how well they measured up to the requirements of the Government's new Land Transport Management Act.

It was given the green light, with some conditions, last year and construction has started on two of the five main stations.

Officials had estimated the total cost at $151 million, but some unofficial estimates were that it might cost up to $187 million. Now the figure stands at $229 million.

Transit is expecting to take the application for its share of the project to the Transfund board by May.

An officers' report, to be discussed at the North Shore City Council's works and environment committee next Tuesday, asks the council for a reconfirmed commitment to the busway stations' development and approval for the final design and construction works needed to complete the project by 2007/8.

Options for funding the shortfall of $18 million include seeking more money from Infrastructure Auckland (which is already committed to contributing $40 million), and Transfund.

Mr Cayford said: "The busway is North Shore City's leg of the Auckland Regional Passenger Transport network. It is important regional infrastructure and merits regional funding from Infrastructure Auckland and Transfund in the same way as rail infrastructure."