Auckland’s newest transport centre at Otahuhu was opened on Saturday.
A community day was held at the station as transport minister Simon Bridges presided over the event along with Auckland mayor Phil Goff and Auckland Transport chairman Dr Lester Levy.
The new $28.7 million facility, funded by Auckland Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency, is a major milestone for Auckland Transport. It will incorporate the existing train station, linking the rail platform with two new bus platforms and a terminal building via an elevated concourse.
“By delivering a convenient and sheltered overpass to link the trains with two new bus platforms, we’re creating better connections for people to transfer between modes,” says Bridges.
“Importantly, safety is right at the heart of this station project – with cyclists and pedestrians safely separated from bus and car traffic.”
The new network – which constitutes a 12% increase in service hours, a 15% increase in kilometres, 95 new buses, 330 drivers, 1292 bus stops and the traversing of 26,767km each week day – is more integrated as it will see frequent bus services on key routes running at least every 15 minutes from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.
The buses will deliver commuters to stations like Otahuhu to continue their trip by train or on another bus.
The first trip of the day was the 380 Airporter bus scheduled at 4.40am from Manukau to Onehunga. It is one of 39 new simplified bus routes from 52 across South Auckland, Pukekohe and Waiuku.
Public transport patronage at Otahuhu Station has increased by 9% in the past 12 months, with a total of 117,000 passengers using the station to board trains in the year to August.
The old Otahuhu Train Station was hidden behind a shipping container yard with poor access while the design of the new high-quality station reflects the history of the area and the site’s importance to local mana whenua as a historic portage for waka. Its architecture reflects local and historical narratives and Maori art and design is integrated throughout the station site with three key artworks integrated within the building.
The station will include improved CCTV security and will allow for future links by rail. Buses will also continue to run between the station and the town centre, retaining the link to local shops and businesses.
The public campaign included delivering information packs and bus timetables to 119,000 letterboxes, 20 information events aimed at helping customers plan their journeys, and posters at about 500 bus stops, reaching 93% of passenger boardings.
For more information on Otahuhu Station visit at.govt.nz/otahuhustation, and for more information on the new network visit HERE.
