Good news (for once) from NZTA today – that plans are advancing for the extension of Auckland’s Northern Busway:
The NZ Transport Agency has announced plans for the next stage of investigations into options for the long-term extension of Auckland’s Northern Busway by another 16 kilometres, to serve the communities of Silverdale and Orewa.
The NZTA has appointed the engineering consultancy BECA to investigate the route for a dedicated buses-only link from Constellation Drive on Auckland’s North Shore to Silverdale, and to test this route against other options for extending the busway.
NZTA’s Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Stephen Town said that although construction was several years away, there was a need to protect land now for the route because any busway extension will have to be built in an area of Auckland that is developing rapidly.
“Public transport is critical to contributing to economic growth in the region by reducing peak time congestion, and we’re planning now to ensure the busway continues to meet Aucklanders’ needs in the future. Demands from development pressure need to be taken into account and we need to protect a route now so that we have the required land available to us later when we are ready to extend the busway,” Mr Town said..
BECA’s investigation, which has just started, is expected to take a year. Mr Town says Auckland Council and Auckland Transport will be consulted as the investigation proceeds into the future development of one of the city’s most important public transport routes.
Mr Town said extending the busway was a long term objective for the NZTA, and the project will be built in stages, with the section between the Constellation Drive and Albany Stations the first priority.
The Northern Busway is currently 6.2 kilometres long, re-joining the Northern Motorway (State Highway 1) at Constellation Drive, and includes four purpose-built stations. The busway opened in February 2008, triggering an immediate and ongoing rise in passenger numbers and providing quicker peak time bus journeys between the North Shore and Auckland’s CBD.
Interesting that NZTA only think PT is important for its ability to reduce delays for cars, but I’ll ignore that point for now. The map below shows the existing two-way section of busway in red, a possible first section to Albany in green and a later extension to Silverdale in blue:
Completing the green section should be a massive priority. This which would effectively mean that the Northern Express buses ran along the busway for almost all their journey (except for the Harbour Bridge & northbound between Onewa Rd and Esmonde Road). In terms of pushing even further north, I struggle to see the need for this at the moment. The Orewa to Silverdale section of motorway pretty much never gets congested plus there aren’t actually a large number of buses north of Albany at the moment. It would seem unnecessary to provide the buses with a dedicated off-road busway when it offers no time advantage and there aren’t many buses that would use it anyway. This may change in the future, and I’m all for protecting the route now, but I don’t really see it as much of a priority.
Regardless though, I’m just pleased to see NZTA doing something other than building more motorways.
mmmm – maybe the government is expecting a lot more urban sprawl between Albany and Silverdale? Its not that long ago that Albany was a country village , Silverdale was surrounded by country not housing estates and Orewa was a holiday destination not a dormitory suburb. Silverdale is growing at an alarming pace and the motorway does get a bit congested at night at the north bound Silverdale off ramp. I agree with you that extending the busway to Albany is an immediate priority – it would also be of enormous value to the university. However, if we are going to get more park and ride stations – maybe the planners could look at some sort of practical parking requirements. The car park at the Constellation Road park and ride is hopelessley inadequate although maybe some of those cars have come from Albany and another Park and Ride at Albany might help the parking problem at Constellation.
Just a quick question – do you know if passengers can book seats on buses or is it first come first served? I would use buses more often if I could be sure that I wasn’t having to stand with my face in someone’s smelly armpit for 20 minutes. I would even be prepared to pay a premium for that level of service – after all I wouldn’t have to pay for city parking.
And onto a completely different tack (apologies for this) – it looks like Brisbane could do with a lot of infrastructure engineers, project planners and managers – can we send some of the NZTA project managers over there do you think?
Watcher – no, a bus seat booking option doesn’t exist. Bus seat bookings on normal suburban buses (rather than inter-city buses) are close to impossible to do short of upgrading buses with electronic signage above every seat showing whether it’s reserved or not (like some European longer-distance trains have). Otherwise, what would one do? You could print out a ticket stub showing your reservation (more hassle and setup needs) and then show it to the person who has already occupied your seat. Even if you are happy to do that, and that person relents (you have no certainty he will), then the system has just created another disgruntled passenger (because how WAS that guy to know he’s not to sit there?). The only other alternative is for the bus driver to handle seat allocation – and that would immediately slow down the whole service massively – or to hire extra staff on every bus to do it – that would increase fare prices massively (staff costs are 30-50% of bus transport costs!).
In short, reservation systems are way too troublesome for anything but intercity services on buses or trains. Your only chance of being really sure of a seats is getting there early, or boarding further out from the CBD, or travelling off-peak.
As for your comment about NZTA project managers – not sure why you have such a low opinion of them? For a bureaucracy, I think they are actually an quite effective bunch. Tell it to the politicians if you don’t like WHAT they are doing.
Just because a problem is difficult doesn’t mean it can’t be solved. There well may be an option for a reservation only bus which attracts higher fares and allows people to reserve seats on, say either a weekly or a monthly basis. A 30-40 minute bus trip is truly uncomfortable if you are standing all that time and, as one gets older it is even more uncomfortable (forget people giving up their seats for the elderly and infirm – its a rarity these days not a norm).
As for the NZTA project managers – I don’t believe that I said that I had a low opinion of them – merely that Brisbane needs help. Oh, and it also might teach some of the NZTA project managers what happens when you build roads down valleys which are flood plains – which is what they want to do up here in Warkworth.
Watcher, I’m just saying that it is a difficult problem, of (in my opinion), much lower priority than so many other bus-related issues that need to be solved more urgently (integrated ticketing, making the routes simpler, ensuring the real time information at bus stops is actually correct). How difficult it is can be seen (again in my opinion / knowledge only) in the fact that I know of not a single urban/suburban bus/train system worldwide that has reservations like you describe. I expect that if one hunts around, one could find a few, but it’s extremely rare.
Re the NZTA engineers – It’s just that they often end up getting the verbal bash here (including by my in the occasional spot) and I thought they didn’t really deserve that as a general assessment – sorry for misunderstanding you.
I’m with you on this one Admin, sure get a designation in place, perhaps build a a couple of interchange/park n ride stations… but I just can’t see any need for an actual busway extension north of Albany.
Having a troll around I found one reference to this project on the NZTA website. In 2009 they estimated that an extension from Constellation to Silverdale (note: not Orewa) would cost $800 million dollars… so this project will probably end up being well north of a billion when all is said and done. Presumably a big chunk of this is the ALbany link, but overall thats a huge spend where there is minimal need. I can think of several places in Auckland that could do with a billion dollar busway or rail line ahead of the Hibiscus coast.
Well, them and trucks. I do have to wonder, though, how much of that is just reflecting the attitudes of the prevailing Minister as a way of easing the path for securing funding. Joyce cares only for private transport, we know that, so I wouldn’t discount the talk of congestion relief benefits as public manipulation of his boss’ strings.
$800m? Really? That’d pay for the rail link to the airport, with change for a couple more EMUs!
As far as I was aware, NZTA was a road-centric authority long before Steven Joyce got his hands on the transport purse……
Out of curiosity, what would roughly be the travelling time between Albany and Britomart, if and when this extension is completed?
Well, they are dominated by ex-Transit. I’d expect that the motorway-focus will slowly change in the longer run, but only if SJ isn’t minister anymore.
I really think the extent to which the MoT is being blamed for a less than ideal PT (non-rail)focus in Auckland is starting to stretch a little thin. NZTA has a alot more independant say on a day-to-day basis I would think, particularly on matters pertaining to dedicated bus routes.
Its either that or we thank Steven Joyce for having the foresight to spend money on a PT well before its warranted (Albany-north extension of the busway) and directing NZTA to begin work future-proofing the route tomorrow. But that doesn’t really sound like how it happened, does it.
This is an NZTA driven project and shows that – where they want to – they have the authority to build a busway/buslane when and where they choose from their ever available budget. They are getting off lightly.
Applicant
NZ Transport Agency
Purpose
To seek the Board’s approval for funding the Investigation of the NZ Transport Agency’s (NZTA) Auckland Northern Busway Extension (SH1) Constellation to Silverdale project in Auckland region
Date of decision
25 September 2009
Resolutions
The NZ Transport Agency Board:
1. supports the concept of an extension of the Northern Busway to Silverdale/Orewa, subject to further analysis, which will form part of the Investigation phases of the project and subsequent endorsement of a strategic option;
2. approves funding for the investigation of the NZ Transport Agency’s Auckland Northern Busway Extension (SH1) Constellation to Silverdale project, at an estimated cost of $4.76 million from N funds, subject to:
1. the investigation considering all feasible options to meet the requirements of section 20 of the Land Transport Management Act 2003; and
2. a hold point at the determination of the macroscope, prior to lodging of the Notice of Requirement, to enable the Board’s consideration and endorsement of the preferred option;
3. requests the Chief Executive to extend the existing Heads of Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for development of the Busway with North Shore City, Rodney District and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA), to facilitate the NOR and subsequent processes and to participate as funding partners;
4. notes that the project is very long term and would be constructed over many years in at least six distinct stages;
5. notes that the construction cost for the Auckland Northern Busway Extension (SH1) is estimated at around $800 million
6. notes the reasons for this decision are as set out in the Reasons for recommendation section; and
7. agrees to take Board paper 09⁄06⁄0258 out of Committee when the Board has published the notice of decision.
Reason for the decision
The assessment profile for this activity has been determined as being of high strategic fit, high effectiveness and low efficiency.
The project will contribute mainly to the LTMA objective of assisting economic development by reducing congestion on the Northern Motorway, thereby impacting positively on trip time and reliability for commercial and business travellers. The NBE also assists with access and mobility for those who do not have vehicles, and assists public health through reducing emissions associated with severe congestion. Public transport buses are proven to be a much safer travel mode than the private car, which assists with the LTMA safety objective.
There are few negative impacts from the NBE apart from the potentially high total cost of the project depending on the final option chosen and the potential disruption to traffic during construction, which will be mitigated by site access, protection, and traffic management.
We confirm that the matters in sections 20(2) and 20(5) of the LTMA have been satisfied and that the matters in section 20(3) have been taken into account.
If you would like details of how the assessment profile for this activity was determined, please email us at boardsecretariat@nzta.govt.nz.
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/planning/what-funding/board-decisions/20090925-sh1-constellation-project.html
Wouldn’t an RTN up there be better to deviate from the motorway and actually connect to the shopping centres and the hopelessly isolated Massey campus?… or if if that’s not affordable because of the total lack of planning, it must be rigged up with a network of feeder busses, as well as the park ‘n’ rides. Oh and of course future-proofed for rail…
hard to see how it would cost an extra $800 million dollars. North of Albany there are no interchanges until Silverdale, although there will be a Penlink interchange by the time this is built.
Also there are only three small overbridges at lonely track road, bawden road and wilks road that are too narrow, and an overbridge at Awanohi Road that will need an extra lane.
Due to the lack of overbridges/interchanges could this busway not be a widened shoulder lane?
Even in 20 -30 years I would imagine this money would be far more beneficial being spent in East Auckland and maybe a half hearted situation would be fine north of Oteha Valley Road.
On the other hand the section north to Albany should be very high priority.
With the Constellation to Oteha section a significant cost must be getting the busway from one side of the motorway to the other. The Constellation Station is on the motorway’s eastern side while the Oteha Station is on the western side and accordingly a costly bridge or tunnel will be required. Does anyone know where they plan to do this – perhaps at the Constellation end to tie in with the additional north bound motorway lane exiting at Tawa Drive?
Roger, I recall seeing a proposal for how they would do this. If I remember correctly a two way busway was to extend from an expanded Constellation Station (second platform) across Constellation Drive on a long viaduct and returning to ground level along the eastern side of the motorway by the Bunnings Warehouse. A litle further along by the water treatment ponds the busway was to cross over to the western side of the motorway via a large flyover type structure, then continuting along at ground level to a duplicate bridge over Rosedale road. A new station was proposed immediately after the busway crossed Rosedale Rd. After this there was another long viaduct structure crossing over the Greville Rd interchange, then the busway would enter a tunnel in the side of the hill, and continue in tunnel for about a kilometre and a half to the vicinity of the existing station, which would presumably have to be rebuilt as it is aligned east-west and the route would be running north-south.
So from that I make two rebuilt stations, one simple road overbridge, three viaducts totalling about 800m length, 1500m of ventilated underground tunnel (with fire control systems, emergency exits etc), plus about 2000m of at-grade formation. Not hard to see it costing many hundreds of millions. Perhaps if a lot of the route is to be in tunnel there could be an argument to support rail on the route instead, given that rail tunnels are smaller and require less saftey measures than bus tunnels.
I would like to see two stations in the Albany area too, one servicing the park and ride and commuter interchange, plus a second servicing the mall, megacentre and/or university directly.
I happened to be talking about this with a colleague at work today who catches the bus from Albany, one suggestion we came up with was to build it so the busway carries on to Greville Rd where the buses come off, then have a busway similar to what is proposed on Ti Rakau Dr down the middle of Albany Expressway with a station near the University and some of the shops, then carry it on behind the stadium (with an events station?) to the current Albany station. It would obviously take longer to get to the current Albany station but would provide two stations in the Albany area at pretty much at each end of the development
The most ideal route would be a train line that was underground along a similar route to what I described above but turned up Mercari Way and went straight under the Westfield with a station at about Civic Cres
in terms of peak time Albany – CBD services these should go direct onto the busway. However for services that come from elsewhere in the shore Albany town centre is the major destination so buses should come here first and then go onto the station. Maybe a Devonport – Takapuna – Smales Farm – Albany service would be a good idea and this could use that route.
As for the uni, terrible planning makes it hard to serve well and people will have to put up with walking from Mercari way or changing serivces. A 600m easy walk turns in to a very unpleasant 1.2km walk to the centre.
So it sounds like NZTA’s Plan is to use the motorway corridor again. Sadly we haven’t learnt anything.
So much of North Harbour isn’t fully developed so we should be using that to our advantage.
I’d spur the Busway west at constellation which could be built along with the motorway that is planned to connect to SH18. Then go north through Rosedale Park, up through a Massey Station and then North Harbour Stadium Station.
Constellation is the perfect place to cross the motorway because it would be part of a motorwayto motorway interchange.
On another note if you look at Albany Park n Ride usage, about a third of the cars come from or through Silverdale. So a park and Ride in Silverdale with more buses to Auckland CBD would reduce demand on Albany Station by about a quarter.
But remember, Joyce’s master plan for Auckland is that we will just deal with rising house prices by developing the whole of the Eastern Coast. Yeah, look forward to super congestion and rising rates!
Eastern Coast, Western Coast, any area resembling green that’s not currently a sports stadium or someone’s back yard…
Perhaps the northern portion of the busway between Oteha valley Road and Silverdale could be tidal and be INbound only in the AM and outbound only in the PM. Seems like this would almost halve the construction cost and have nearly all the benefits of dedicated lanes both ways.
I doubt it would be half the price. More like around 80% of the price as you’d need to do most of the earthworks anyway.
Does anyone know which side of the motorway between albany and silverdale this busway is likely to run along (eg western or eastern side?) Have there been any proposals put forward at this stage?
At Albany it has to be on the western side and I can’t see much point in having it swap back over to the other side again (though a Silverdale Park n Ride is being planned on the eastern side of the motorway there).
due to the lack of on and off-ramps this could easily be built as a glorified bus shoulder lanes north of Albany.
The main issue for the busway north of the Albany extension in the near future is the interchange with the proposed Penlink road, and ensuring grade seperated bus-way lanes are provided as part of this.
As an aside I am suprised about this govt seeming to forget of the Penlink proposal, while with a Labour govt this would probably be under construction now.
If the Busway is gonna be extended to Orewa. This is what I think REALLY needs to be done…
* Extend the Busway from Constellation to Albany with Bridge or Tunnel (Whatever will be the best solution for the longer term)
* Construct the Penlink Road – Buses would be able to get out to Whangaparaoa alot quicker
* Build the Orewa Bus Station in the Town Centre
* Build the Silverdale Bus Station closer to the Town Centre
* Encourage more development around the stations
And most importantly…
* Future proof the Busway & the stations for Electric Trains!.
Hopefully one day, when the Busway is replaced with Heavy Rail, the line could extend North & if KiwiRail gets back on it’s feet again, it can become an extension to not only the North Auckland Line, but the North Island Main Trunk Line!”