Northern Busway Bylaw consultation

6 November 2023

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Northern Busway Bylaw and your organisation has been identified as a key stakeholder.

The Northern Busway is a rapid transit corridor that runs along State Highway 1 from the Auckland Harbour Bridge to Albany. It forms the backbone of public transport services on the North Shore and is a critical component of the wider Auckland Rapid Transit Network.  The corridor includes a dedicated dual busway and bus lanes, and provides fast, reliable, frequent, and high-capacity bus services, free from congestion to Auckland’s city centre. 

The first section of the Northern Busway between Onewa and Constellation Station was opened in 2008. In May 2022, an additional 5km stretch from Constellation Station to Albany Station was opened as part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project.

The Northern Busway has been very successful, with passenger growth exceeding that of both the rail network and the rest of the bus network. The forecasted passenger transport demand is likely to exceed the functional capacity of core North Shore to Auckland city centre public transport corridors by the 2030s. This exceptional growth will further increase pressure on the Northern Busway. 

Northern Busway Bylaw review

Access to and activities on the Northern Busway are regulated under the Northern Busway Bylaw. To ensure the bylaw supports the Northern Busway’s rapid transit function now and into the future, Waka Kotahi and Auckland Transport have worked together to review the bylaw to make sure it: 

• helps to optimise/manage the capacity of the busway and its stations 
• has a clear authorisation process for vehicles accessing the busway 
• has clear penalties and enforcement mechanisms 
• provides for a safe journey 
• promotes equitable travel choices for customers, including those with accessibility needs. 

 We are consulting on the following proposed changes:

Proposal 1: Extending the bylaw to cover the new section of the busway from Constellation Station to Albany Station.

Proposal 2: Updating vehicles eligible to apply for busway access.

Proposal 3: Improving operational and decision-making processes on the busway.

Consultation

Consultation on the proposed changes to the bylaw will be held from 6th November to 1st December 2023.  For more information on the proposed changes and how to submit your feedback, see the link to our website below.

Submissions will close on Friday 1st December 2023.

More information

For more information on the Northern Busway consultation, contact us at northernbusway@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/northern-busway-consultation