Its not only our train stations that need upgrading but also many of our bus facilities and so it is pleasing to see the completion of the Otara bus interchange. Auckland transport say that the interchange sees over 330 services and nearly 3000 boards per day so it is pretty well used. First here is its location and what it used to look like
Definitely not the most attractive piece of infrastructure we have around. Here’s part of the AT press release about the upgrade:
The $2.1 million redevelopment of the Otara bus interchange and adjacent plaza is set to become a signature entry into Otara township.
It was officially opened by Auckland Mayor Len Brown on Monday 16 July.
It is an example of a transformation project that actively sought to engage with the community to provide a high quality urban space that reflects the unique heritage of the Otara community.
An earlier review of the bus interchange by Auckland Transport found that the shelters and waiting area were in poor condition and would be uneconomic to repair. Together with Auckland Council a wider approach was taken to redevelop and upgrade the surrounding area at the same time the interchange was improved.
The new bus shelter which covers the full length of the interchange is constructed from single steel and glass. The glass features motifs and designs which reflect the Pacific Island and Maori heritage of the local community are by renowned Tongan artist Filipe Tohi.
It has new seating and a raised pedestrian thoroughfare to provide a safer crossing and better connection to the surrounding area.
Other work included replacing the old toilet with a modern stainless steel unit, upgrading the taxi stand, new paving, a play area for children along with a makeover for the clock tower. The result is a modern transport facility and plaza that is a more visible, open and safer community space.
So what does it look like now (pics from ATs website):
Looks like a vast improvement to me and hopefully one that will see a lot more people using the facility. There is more information about the works here.
3000 boarding a day would put it up there with the top few train stations so great to see the upgrade happen.
Yeah that’s what surprised me
Geez the colour consultant used about every shade of grey they could. I bet that inspiration didn’t come from the pacific islands.
The colour are sensible, not to distract from the polynesian motifs on the glass. It looks elegant. Does anyone have better photos?
Talking about bus interchanges, does anyone know any detail on the planned Fanshawe St. bus interchange, other than there are plans for one? Read about it in the North Shore Times a few weeks ago but can’t seem to find any information on it.
I have heard about it but haven’t been able to find any details yet
http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/news/commuter-clutter-fanshawe-dangerous/1449532/
One thing we can’t tell from these pictures is how good the timetable and network map information is at the stops.
Needs to be really legible so new users can easily find which bus they should be taking. Should be full timetables, networks maps (both spaghetti and stylized) to help people catch the right bus. Hopefully the network redesign will make things much easier in this regard. Apart from maybe a few peak time expresses no buses should go to CBD, instead changing at Otahuhu interchange, Manukau or other hubs in the south.
I contacted AT a few months ago and one point I brought up with them was signage at bus stops. They agreed that the current signage could be improved. At the time I received their reply, their Public Transport Customer Information team were undergoing a project to roll out schematic route displays. Apparently several prototypes have been designed (although any details about these were not given to me) and are being reviewed by stakeholders. I’m not sure what the status of that project is now (perhaps someone knows a bit more?) but I am glad that they have recognised there are issues with the way timetable and route information is currently being conveyed, and are working on fixing it.
Fantastic fantastic fantastic! More more more!
Would love to see bus stops of this quality in many other parts of Auckland …
One question: Have they added a ped crossing at the eastern end of the stop? I see there’s one to the west, but it would be good to have one at both ends I would have thought. How long is the platform anyway?
No, as that is the exit and the lights do not give us much time to exit the transport center . Also it is the exit from MIT. Much safer for passengers to go to other end and cross over
If we are doing full network redesign need to do a fair number of upgrades over the next few years. Not sure this has been programmed into the RLTP, I heard Glenfield one had been pushed back nearly a decade, and that it sure to be a major node on the Shore. Wellington running into this problem, with only $1million allocated, when maybe a dozen interchanges need upgrading.
I wonder how long it will be till it’s covered in Grifitti and the windows are smashed.
we bus drivers that use the transport centre are asking the same questions, lol. But the rubbish is appearing and distracts from the newness.
one panel has already been smashed — last sunday morning- i was quite upset, there may be things wrong but this wanton destruction is upsetting…
This upgrade looks fantastic – much more shelter, the Real Time displays look like useful, the design is chic and current but functional. Also, the yellow along the curb makes the bus interchange look very similar to a train station and reinforces the idea that this is a busy location. Great stuff! I hope to see many more upgrades like this across Auckland – so much for gain, for a relatively small amount of money!
Drove past a few weeks back on the way to my football game, and was suprised at how good the station looked, as well as how it connected with the new shop developments and the public square.
Three negatives about the centre.
1. the stones in photo one [with OTARA sign] are very dangerous to walk on and this in turn lessens the platform area to load and unload passengers, [before we could have 3 buses each side loading / unloading now it is only two.....]
2. there is less seating for waiting passengers and we have a lot waiting for Middlemore Hospital,
3, the entry into the centre – the drain is quite deep, then the raised pedestrian crossing and as the bus comes in on an angle this does cause a serious rocking movement of the bus, Passengers do find this uncomfortable, so does the driver
Great to have some feedback from a driver’s perspective Carol. Thanks for dropping by …
I believe the pebbles are there to act as a deterrent paving, ie the areas with pebbles are not designed for walking over / waiting.
The amount of seating look the same but is better because allows for some personal space but now people can sit in the plaza area aswell.
While it is a definite improvement, I prefect function over form. Definitely not enough seats, there are always dozens of students standing around in the afternoon. Plus plenty of old people from the retiremnt village accross the road. I don’t like the rocks either . Great debris collectors. It’s what happens when you get designers designer with less consideration for practicalities. The glass will soon be etched in vandals signatures. Not really sure what they could have done instead though. At least it offers some protection from the weather.
If people really had to wait a long periods of time they could easily just sit in McDs, however the seating I can easily tell is not less than before. Also the gravelly bit now that Passerby mentioned it is probably to prevent people leaning up against the glass thereby avoiding itchy hands damaging it.
Sitting in McD’s is totally impractical when waiting for a bus that may turn up randomly and then have to take the long way around to get from the McD’s to the bus station and then you miss your bus. Having the same amount of seating as before is not an improvement at all. It’s probably the single biggest improvement you could have made at that bus station, given the random unpredictability of buses turning up. But no they want fancy signs,glass and rocks. Does any of that make taking a bus more convenient? No. Safer? No. Cheaper? No. Punctual? No. Well then from my perspective most of the improvement was just a waste of money. Particually in one of the poorest areas in Auckland where many only have the bus as an option. Ah well, that’s my rant for the day.
Why are you so negative Ari? if most improvements are a waste of money, are you just going to let things deteriorate? Most people from the area are fine, its only the few who does not appreciate the facilities. The bus shelter structure provides clear sightline, continuous canopy coverage, graphic artworks with cultural reference and identity. The pebbles look great! I like it very much and I hope it stays clean.