RIDE TO THE FUTURE
Auckland Transport is helping to transform the city into a world-class transport hub with new stations, faster trips & culturally significant design.
When we think about world-class public transportation, cities like London, Madrid and Singapore come to mind. And now, with an entire new scope of investment and a vision for transport that goes beyond simply commuting, Auckland is set to join those ranks. Transforming the city’s transport infrastructure is a brief that Auckland Transport (AT) does not take lightly. The organisation is already moving forward with improvements large and small to the city’s public transport network, an area that stretches from Pukekohe to Wellsford in the north.
Nearly $6 billion of investment is going into creating a leadingedge rail network for Aucklanders, which includes building new stations, more trains, extending electrification to Pukekohe and easing congestion. “These investments and improvements to the rail network across the city provide the opportunity for AT to operate more train services in the future, as demand grows,” says AT Metro Services Group Manager Stacey van der Putten. “This increase in capacity and flexibility means that there will be less time waiting at the station to get to board a service. Train journeys will also be quicker. For example, travelling from Glen Innes into the city centre will be shorter by nine minutes, and from Henderson passengers will save 17 minutes.”
Frequent and accessible bus services is a core part of the public transport system. Right now, 39% of Aucklanders live within a 500m walk to a bus service; by 2031, that is expected to grow to 42%. Work is underway on the country’s first urban busway, with the initial section between Panmure and Pakuranga opening in early 2022. When completed, this will connect Botany and the surrounding service to the rail network, reducing travel times into the city by 20 minutes.
Creating a thriving public transport network is not only about efficiency and access, but designing spaces of cultural and artistic significance. “Historically public transport facilities have always been ‘functioning pieces of art’,” says van der Putten. “Think of international icons like Grand Central Station, and Kings Cross.
More locally, many New Zealanders will know the beauty of Wellington Railway Station and AT’s recently reopened Britomart Station. These facilities are for those using them, so it’s important people feel welcome when using their local public transport. Creating these inviting spaces that connect people to their jobs and social life will see an uptake in their use.”
The recently opened Puhinui Station in Papatoetoe is one such architectural landmark, created in partnership with mana whenua. Te Ākitai Waiohua iwi provided design leadership in the project, with te reo Māori incorporated throughout the space and artwork by design studio Wāhi Wairua. “Māori artwork and designs are being woven into Auckland’s cityscape so that the urban centre better reflects Māori culture and identity,” says van der Putten. “Te Aranga Māori urban design principles can be articulated, for example, in the application of te taiao (environment) through planting choices, while whakapapa (genealogy) tribal cultural narratives are celebrated in infrastructure design. For example, during the construction phase of Manukau Bus Station, Auckland
Transport included a requirement to train and employ South Auckland Māori and Pasifika Trades Training graduates. This resulted in 13 graduates (50 per cent of whom were women) employed and all now have full-time jobs in subcontractor organisations.”
Smaller, more novel developments are also shaping the way people travel. AT Local, AT’s own version of a rideshare service, is being trialled in Conifer Grove, Takanini and Papakura. Replacing traditional buses with smaller vehicles, it offers a more bespoke option for customers, where they can hail a vehicle on an app to take them to the nearest train station or town centre. “This is the second iteration of this service, which has been redesigned to better integrate with other public transport options. People will be able to access the train, key bus routes as well as other locations in the area without needing a car. This will also have the bonus of alleviating the pressure on our nearby park and rides.”
From new electric bus fleets connecting to the airport, to an ever-expanding network of buses and trains, the future of Auckland’s public transport will play a big role in creating a cleaner city and helping people live more sustainable lives. “In the simplest terms, one bus can take 65 cars off Auckland’s roads,” says van der Putten. “By 2035, we know that Auckland’s city centre train stations will need to accommodate 54,000 passengers an hour at peak travel times. That’s the equivalent of an 18-lane motorway through the city centre, taking up a fraction of the space with two tracks underneath the city. Using public transport is already a sustainable option, but with Auckland Transport’s electric trains and our bus fleet becoming increasingly emissions free, this becomes even more of a motive for those considering their own carbon footprint. All these improvements will result in a public transport network like we are used to seeing overseas, where public transport is used for more than commuting – such as heading into the city centre for a night out at your favourite restaurant without the need to find a parking spot, or taking the family to weekend activities.”
To learn more about the future of Auckland’s public transport network, visit AT.govt.nz/projects