Major changes in the new bus network
Commuters in South Auckland should be ready for the biggest change to its bus network in years.
From October 30, the new southern bus network will launch, bringing with it a change in mindset for the public.
The new Otahuhu Interchange will be an important hub, with the new focus on using rail to get into the city.
‘‘The interchange is really the key to the new network,’’ Auckland Transport network development manager Anthony Cross says.
‘‘It’s about saying for longer distance journeys from South Auckland, people are using the train to get into the central city because it’s faster.’’
Buses will bring passengers from a number of areas to the interchange, Cross says.
‘‘We can use the buses that have been running all the way into the city ... to provide more local bus services in south Auckland.’’
Some long-time commuters may have to get used to making connections on their journeys, Cross says.
‘‘Most people will find they will have more options and more frequency, there are a lot more destinations they can get to easily.’’
It will be a similar situation in Manukau after the bus station is finished. City-bound passengers will transfer to the train station.
South Auckland is the first new bus network to rollout. It follows the introduction of a zone- based fare system earlier in the year.
There will also be new operators across the network: Go Bus, Ritchies/Murphy and Howick and Eastern were awarded contracts in February.
Cross is confident any minor hiccups in the system will be ironed out soon after launch.
He encourages people to read the information packs delivered in mailboxes.
A major information day will be held for commuters at Otahuhu Station on October 29 alongside the station’s opening ceremony.