Manukau’s new $49 million bus station is all set for commuters.
Auckland mayor Phil Goff, transport minister Phil Twyford and the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board opened the new state of the art transport hub on Saturday.
Goff says the new station will contribute towards an integrated public transport system for the city.
“It makes it easier for people to switch between bus and rail and to get around the city without adding to road congestion.
“The station itself is a stand-out architectural addition to Manukau, representing high environmental standards and great design, including Maori art. Together with the adjacent train station and MIT building it represents a transformation of the old Manukau City Centre,” Goff says.
The station has room for 23 buses at a time and will handle 470 buses and around 5500 passengers each day. It took two years to build with project funding from Auckland Council and the Government through NZ Transport Agency.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford says the new facility is a real asset for the area.
“The people of South Auckland deserve great public transport services and great infrastructure like this new station. This is just a taste of the improvements in public transport that our Government is determined to bring to communities across New Zealand,” he says.
The building of the facility was also Auckland Transport’s first “social outcomes” project.
The contractor NZ Strong had to demonstrate how it would train and employ South Auckland Maori and Pasifika trades training graduates.
Auckland Council’s Southern Initiative programme assisted in recruiting suitable young people.
The scheme promotes social and community innovation in South Auckland and equips Maori and Pasifika people in the area with skills and access to meaningful employment opportunities.
Thirteen graduates were employed during the construction phase and all of them now have full-time jobs.
