'Gridlock' in Auckland if public transport were to fail

The equivalent of 90 minutes of rush-hour Harbour Bridge traffic would hit Auckland roads each morning if its public transport system failed.

A new survey of bus, train and ferry passengers estimated that at least 14,000 extra vehicles would be added to the morning commuter grind across the region if there were no public transport system.

Over a third of the 1000 surveyed said they would return to driving their cars, while another third would be passengers, Auckland Regional Council transport planner Ken McLeod said.

Auckland motorways operations manager, Derrick Hitchens, said it would lead to a very different city.

"We would probably have gridlock. There are no doubts there would be significant delays and our morning and evening peaks would be far more significant in terms of duration and extent.

"Auckland would not work as it does now. We recognise the contribution made by public transport."

The annual survey is conducted for Government funder Transfund by the ARC to test passenger satisfaction levels.

Auckland ferry passengers appear the happiest with their daily ride, with over 90 per cent listing the overall service as "excellent" or "good."

Just over 60 per cent of bus passengers and just under 60 per cent of train passengers gave the same ratings.

Personal safety at Auckland railway stations was a worry for a quarter of train passengers.

Getting Auckland moving – Herald stories

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