New limited-stop bus services in east Auckland will provide more choice and more direct bus trips while the first stage of the Eastern Busway is built from Panmure to Pakuranga.
Auckland Transport (AT) is putting on two new bus services to provide people with more travel choices.
Both services will be free until Friday 3 May. Normal fares will apply from Monday 6 May. The new 728 and 729 routes will run only on weekdays during peak hours.
"These shuttles will offer people a more direct route through the construction area to connect to train and bus services at Panmure Station," says AMETI Eastern Busway Programme Director, Duncan Humphrey
"These new services are part of a wider traffic management plan for the project that will provide greater choice, convenience, reducing the number of cars on the road and offering more direct travel options to minimise the impact of construction," says Mr Humphrey.
Major work for stage 1 of the Eastern Busway starts at Easter at the Panmure Roundabout with construction progressing along Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road over a two year period.
"We thank people in advance for their patience during construction. While faster journey times, more travel options, greater frequency and the introduction of rapid transit to east Auckland are a step closer, construction will cause disruption so we thank people in advance for their patience," says Mr Humphrey.
Additional measures to help manage traffic flow during the construction period will be announced shortly.
For travel tips and advice during construction of AMETI Eastern Busway, visit AT.govt.nz/travelplaneast
New bus services
Route 728 will operate non-stop from bus stop 2439 on Pakuranga Road by Lloyd Elsmore Park (opposite KFC) to Panmure Interchange. Return services in the afternoon from Panmure will finish at 346 Pakuranga Road, stop 6074.
The first bus from Lloyd Elsmore Park is at 5.58am and then approximately every 10 minutes between 6.13am and 9.13am. Afternoon services from Panmure are every 20 minutes between 4.05pm and 7.05pm.
Route 729 will depart stop 6267 in Howick Village and will run direct to Panmure Interchange stopping at bus stop 2439 on Pakuranga Road only. Return services in the afternoon from Panmure will travel direct to Howick stopping at 346 Pakuranga Road, stop 6074 only. The first bus from Howick is at 6.05am and then every 20 minutes until 9.05am. Afternoon services from Panmure are every 20 minutes between 4.15pm and 6.55pm.
If travelling between and Panmure Interchange and Lloyd Elsmore Park only, catch any 728 or 729 service every 10 minutes between 4.05pm and 7.05pm. See the map and timetable here [PDF].
For more information regarding the project and new bus routes, please visit the Auckland Transport website and the AMETI project site.
