A new transport initiative introduced by Rodney Local Board has caught the attention of Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, who has applauded the board for its forward thinking.
Two new bus services, launched Sunday 24 February, will provide essential public transport services to rural residents in Wellsford and Helensville. They are the first two projects to be funded by the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate.
The 998 bus service runs on an hourly schedule between Wellsford and Warkworth seven days per week, while the 128 bus service runs every 90 minutes from Helensville to Hibiscus Coast Station via Kaukapakapa and Waitoki. Both services operate seven days per week and join up with the wider Auckland public transport network.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says, "Thanks to the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate, we now have new efficient and reliable bus services between Wellsford and Warkworth, and between Helensville and Hibiscus.
"The new bus services will make a real difference to the local community, making it easier for residents in our far north to get around, supporting economic development and improving congestion in the area.
"With growth in Rodney set to continue at pace, especially in Warkworth where the population is forecast to grow from around 8000 to more than 35,000 by 2040, matching investment in transport infrastructure to population growth is crucial."
"Investigating, designing and introducing a new bus service is more complex than you think," says Rodney Local Board deputy chair Phelan Pirrie.
"We're very pleased to introduce these two new services to our community and thank Auckland Transport for working with us to deliver them so quickly.
"Public transport is a lifeline to many people living in rural areas, especially those that don't drive. The Rodney area continues to grow in popularity and numbers and we need to bring forward transport projects our community tells us are important.
"The transport targeted rate brings forward spending to introduce services earlier than they might otherwise be delivered and our focus now shifts to investigating a bus service between Westgate and Albany via Riverhead and Coatesville, and two new park and rides at Warkworth and Kumeu-Huapai."
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says, "Auckland Council is prioritising a number of significant transport projects in the Rodney region over the coming decade, including the Matakana Link Rd, Park and Ride facilities in Kumeu, and a quadrupling of investment in road sealing from $3.3 million a year to over $12 million."
For more on Rodney Transport Targeted Rate visit at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/rodney-transport-targeted-rate
Timetables for new services can be found at at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/service-announcements/new-bus-services-for-rodney
