Q & A

The Eastern Busway is a significant project for Auckland and forms a key part of the region’s rapid transport network. Similar to the Northern Expressway on Auckland’s North Shore, it will create separate lanes for new high-frequency bus services to connect people from Botany, Pakūranga and the surrounding suburbs with the rail network in Panmure. The project includes cycling and walking paths, safety, environment and roading improvements, and a Reeves Road flyover, giving people a range of travel options and more reliable journey times.

The busway will increase access to jobs and education, lead to more social and community opportunities, attract investment and growth, enable urban development, and help reduce emissions. It is much more than a transport project.

• Better connections and sustainable travel options for walkers, cyclists, motorists, bus and train customers
• A reliable bus and train trip between Botany Town Centre and Waitematā Station
• 12km of safe and separated walking and cycling routes
• 5km of busway between Pakūranga and Botany fully separated from other traffic
• 5 new bus stations with quality facilities
• A flyover above Reeves Road providing a direct connection between Pakūranga Road and the South Eastern Highway, and reducing vehicle congestion around Pakūranga Town Centre
• By 2028 the busway will carry 18,000 passengers per day, more than four times the 3,700 bus passengers per day before Covid-19. By 2048 it is expected to increase to 24,000 passengers per day.

Auckland Transport is working with Fletcher Construction, ACCIONA, AECOM and Jacobs as the Eastern Busway Alliance to design, consent and build the Pakūranga to Botany section of the busway. Our mana whenua partners and specialists in safety, community engagement, design and construction are working together, sharing their skills and knowledge to deliver this large and complex infrastructure project.

The project team is using the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s tool to help ensure the environment will be protected during construction. We will support local businesses and inspire healthy communities in south and east Auckland by:

• Being a good neighbour, and supporting the community through disruption, impacts and change
• Using resources and materials efficiently
• Encouraging the use of walking, cycling and public transport
• Protecting and enhancing the natural environment, and using innovative urban design so that people feel connected to the local area
• Helping the community to thrive by providing employment and training opportunities
• Supporting the local economy by providing opportunities for local businesses
• Deconstructing (disassembly and reuse or relocation of) buildings that require removal, diverting waste from landfill

The project is jointly funded by the New Zealand Government, Auckland Council and the Regional Fuel Tax.

The alliance is working closely with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport staff, Elected Representatives, Howick Local Board, mana whenua, ministerial departments, diverse cultural and interest groups, business and residents' associations, places of worship, schools and media to ensure the work is carried out with the least possible disruption.

During the project we will communicate and engage with project neighbours, stakeholders and the community in several different ways, including; consent notifications, consultation on detailed design elements, notifications before any disruptive works, regular written and website updates, dedicated customer relations staff, regular videos and photography and monitored freephone number and email.

To receive Eastern Busway news you’ll need to sign-up for a free MyAT account where you can choose and manage any updates that interest you. Here’s how:

1. Click the ‘sign-up for project news’ button, follow the prompts and log in
2. Select ‘Communication preferences’ from the menu on the left
3. Select ‘Eastern Busway’ and ‘save preferences’.

Auckland Transport has previously considered bus lanes but those did not meet the project objectives, specifically the reliability and travel time improvements to provide an efficient and reliable rapid transport system. In addition, there were safety concerns due to vehicles entering and exiting the many commercial properties along Tī Rākau Drive.

1. PakūrangaTown Centre

• station close to the Pakūranga Plaza
• urban design features to enhance the environment and create a space that is welcoming, enjoyable and encourages people to spend time there
• Rā Hihi (flyover) to separate through-traffic from buses, walking and cycling
• ‘super tee’ design for the flyover to reduce the impact on surrounding properties and has resulted in a design that is quicker to build

2. Tī Rākau Drive (residential)

• a central running busway with walking and cycling facilities
• two bus stations Te Taha Wai (near Edgewater) and Koata (near Riverhills)
• construction will take place on the southern side of Tī Rākau Drive to reduce disruption and enable additional lanes to be built safely away from traffic

3. Botany Town Centre

• two lane link road for buses connects the Eastern Busway to Botany Town Centre
• preferred station location is close to the town centre
• in the long term the station will provide a central interchange between the Eastern Busway and local school bus services while future proofing for the Airport to Botany rapid transit connection
• Botany station is likely to be delivered in stages

Park and Ride at Botany has been considered by Auckland Transport but is not proposed as a part of the Eastern Busway project.

Auckland’s public transport network is built around a ‘hub and spoke’ model where customers can use feeder bus services to access ‘hubs’, or interchanges, to transfer to other bus, train or ferry services. Botany Town Centre is an example of a public transport hub which connects many local and frequent bus services. In the future it will provide a connection between two rapid transit corridors – the Eastern Busway and the Airport to Botany Rapid Transit corridor.

AT’s strategy is to locate park and ride facilities on the outskirts of the public transport network, for example in low density semi-rural areas, to serve people who cannot access public transport hubs or rapid transit stations using feeder bus services. This extends the catchment of the public transport network while encouraging people who can do so to walk, cycle or use a feeder bus. The strategy helps to discourage traffic from town centres that are already congested and enables available land there to be used for housing. More information on AT’s approach to park and ride can be found in the Regional Public Transport Plan (section 8.2.3).

Botany Town Centre is a key suburban hub and is not a low-density area. Feeder buses and other transportation options are possible for residents and therefore, a Park and Ride is not required here.
Providing a Park and Ride at Botany is inconsistent with the objectives of the Regional Public Transport Plan and AT’s Parking Strategy and will attract additional traffic to the already congested Botany Town Centre.

Key to the success of the Eastern Busway will be ensuring it is attractive to, and able to be accessed by a wide range of users. It will be required to connect people to the places they want to go to, and to be convenient, reliable, efficient and comfortable.

Although a Park and Ride at Botany is currently not part of the Eastern Busway Alliance’s scope, we are investigating opportunities to increase access to the busway stations via all modes, including walking, cycling, local buses and short-term drop-off facilities.