SkyBus will come to North Shore

North Shore residents will now have another way of getting to the airport. SkyBus Auckland will be running an express service from Albany’s Civic Crescent to Auckland Airport, via the Waterview tunnel from late 2018.

SkyBus co-chief executive and director Michael Sewards said an independent survey and local feedback by Albany ward councillor John Watson showed ‘‘incredible support’’ for a mass transit option from the Shore to the airport. Commuters wanted an affordable, frequent service.

‘‘We’re really excited to say that towards the end of this year, we’ll have new buses operating this service from Albany, through the busway into the airport.’’

Initially, there will be a minimum of six buses running seven days a week, every half hour. The bus will stop at Civic Crescent in Albany, Smales Farm Bus Station and Akoranga Bus Station, continuing an express route through the city via Hobson St to access the Waterview connection.

.

Albany ward councillor John Watson said Shore residents often faced a stressful trip to the airport, due to traffic and uncertainty around how long the journey would take.

‘‘What’s going to happen now is people are going to have a guaranteed service, a guaranteed time and that’s going to really make things a lot easier.’’

AMY BAKER/STUFF SkyBus co-chief executive and director Michael Sewards and Albany councillor John Watson at celebrate the news in Albany.