The loop: fast and friendly roadway

By GEOFF CUMMING

Light rail or buses circling the city centre, only a few minutes apart, on their own private roadspace, shifting up to 4000 people an hour.

That is the vision behind plans for a rapid transit loop of inner Auckland city, taking passengers from other rapid transit corridors and from connecting bus and ferry services.

The central area rapid transit corridor, unveiled last July, would connect Queen St, the university, Auckland Hospital, Newmarket, Parnell and the waterfront, passing through the Britomart transport centre.

Parts of the loop are already in place - if access can be negotiated with Tranz Rail, it will use rail corridors between Britomart, Parnell, Newmarket and Park Rd.

Auckland City's rapid transit manager, Ross Rutherford, reports good progress on the missing link - the route between Britomart and a Park Rd connection to the western rail line. The $90 million link would run up Queen St and Wellesley St, cross Grafton Gully and pass under Auckland Hospital.

Its planners have saved $20 million by shelving plans to tunnel under Albert Park, instead running up Wellesley St and under Symonds St. Talks with Transit New Zealand will decide a route across the Grafton Gully motorway ramps.

Light rail is the preferred option for the loop, says Mr Rutherford.

"Light rail vehicles are a lot more expensive than buses but they can carry 160 people, compared to 65 on a bus, and can be linked together to carry even more.

"They also have a much better image - people would use light rail who would never be seen on a bus.

"It's a matter of whether we can justify the additional expense."

He hopes the issues will be resolved over the next few months.

Mr Rutherford hopes light rail services will be extended along the western rail corridor, one of four other proposed rapid transit corridors radiating out from the city centre.

Herald Campaign: Getting Auckland Moving

Story archive | Online forum

The Herald welcomes your commuter experiences. Tell us about the inconvenience of congestion, the lengths you go to beat it, the cost to business and any positive experiences.

By e-mail: Geoff Cumming, Jason Collie

By fax: 09 373-6421

By letter: PO Box 3290, Auckland