More bus lanes planned to cater for commuters

By STUART DYE

The Auckland City Council wants to blanket the central business district with new bus lanes.

The council proposes 11 bus priority lanes on parts of Albert St, Vincent St, Mayoral Drive, Sturdee St and parts of Fanshawe St.

They would operate between 6am and 10am and from 3pm to 7pm.

At all other times they would revert to their present use - a mix of traffic and parking.

In most cases, the bus lane would replace a traffic lane or reduce the width of current lanes.

The proposals are going out for public consultation.

The number of morning commuters travelling by bus has risen by around 11 per cent each year for the past five years.

City councillors want to capitalise on this and encourage the trend.

As part of the scheme, new bus-only traffic signals would be installed, bus stops upgraded and a new stop built on Queen St outside the Civic Theatre.

It would be used for a redrawn North Shore bus route, complementing the North Shore busway.

If the plans are approved the bus lanes could built next year.

* To have your say call (09) 3792020 or visit Auckland City