Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will significantly expand and upgrade its rapid transit network over the coming decades to support and shape the city’s growth. High capacity, quality rapid transit is critical to developing a modern, connected city, providing people with faster, safer, and more reliable trips, while reducing carbon emissions. Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s rapid transit network currently includes the existing heavy rail lines, the Northern Busway, and the Eastern Busway.
The Northern Busway corridor 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 Northern Busway significantly increases the capacity of State Highway 1 by reducing private vehicle use, making it possible for more people to travel, supporting the growth of northern Auckland.
The first section of the Northern Busway between Onewa and Constellation Station opened in 2008. In May 2022, an additional 5km stretch from Constellation Station to Albany Station opened as part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project.
The Northern Busway has been highly successful, with passenger growth exceeding that of both the rail network and the rest of the bus network. Passenger trips are set to increase 31% by 2038 to 21,000 trips daily at the morning peak (Auckland Transport: Northern Busway Detailed Business Case). 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.
Access to and activities on the busway are regulated under the Northern Busway Bylaw. While Auckland Transport manages the busway’s daily operations with support from the Auckland Transport Operation Centre.
Northern Busway Bylaw [PDF, 80 KB]
To ensure the bylaw supports the Northern Busway’s rapid transit function now and into the future, Waka Kotahi and Auckland Transport have reviewed the bylaw to make sure it:
To help ensure the Northern Busway’s ongoing success as a rapid transit corridor, while supporting other transport outcomes, such as transport equity and accessibility, we are proposing the following key changes be made through a replacement bylaw:
Consultation on the proposed changes to the Northern Busway Bylaw will be held from 6 November to 1 December 2023.
Submissions will be primarily taken via the Waka Kotahi consultation survey.
Fill out the online survey(external link)
For further information or to contact the project team directly, email us at northernbusway@nzta.govt.nz
Rapid transit is fast, frequent and reliable public transport that carries large numbers of people on dedicated corridors separated from other traffic. This means it is unaffected by general traffic congestion. Rapid transit can come in a variety of modes including rail, bus, and ferry.
CloseAuckland needs to upgrade its rapid transit network over the coming decades to support and shape the region’s growth whilst reducing emissions and managing congestion.
Auckland’s Rapid Transit Network includes the rail network, the Northern Busway, and the Eastern Busway. In the coming years it will also have:
The recent extension of the Northern Busway to Albany provides a good opportunity to revisit the current regulation of the busway to make sure it’s fit for purpose now and into the future given its important rapid transit function.
CloseSince the Northern Busway opened in 2008 it has exceeded growth expectations and now plays a critical role for both North Shore public transport and Auckland's wider rapid transit network. With this growth, Waka Kotahi and AT have reviewed the access settings to ensure that the Busway is aligned with its rapid transit function.
As equity and inclusive access for people with disabilities has been a key focus for the Northern Busway review, it is also proposed to include accessibility services such as Total Mobility, Specialised School Transport Assistance, and National Travel Assistance.
The proposed changes to eligibility criteria will also impact some commercial operators who currently access the busway, including airport shuttles, tour buses and charter buses. The focus of our review is on protecting the rapid transit function of the busway, now and in the future. Continued access for these commercial operators could contribute to congestion and safety issues, especially at stations. We acknowledge the removal of access for these operators could negatively affect their travel times at peak hours. Through this consultation we are keen to hear how the proposed changes to eligibility criteria will impact operators.
CloseWhile supporting accessible and equitable access to the Northern Busway is a key priority for the bylaw, we need to ensure the rapid transit function and safety at stations is not compromised by large volumes of small passenger service vehicles, for example taxis, accessing the busway. As a result, we do not propose to extend access to vehicles with less than 9 seats. We consider our proposal provides more equitable access, while still supporting the safe and efficient operation of the busway.
CloseWaka Kotahi intends to make final decisions on the proposed changes and produce an updated bylaw in early 2024, depending on the outcome of consultation.
CloseDepending on the outcome of consultation, the new bylaw should come into effect by mid-2024.
CloseNZ Police can enforce activity on the Northern Busway under the bylaw currently. Waka Kotahi and AT are working together to develop a new enforcement approach to support the new bylaw.
CloseThe 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 Northern Busway significantly increases the capacity of State Highway 1 by reducing private vehicle use, making it possible for more people to travel, supporting the growth of northern Auckland.
There is limited capacity for extra vehicles on the busway given it is one lane in each direction. If public access were granted this would reduce the capacity for buses to operate on the busway, increase public transport journey times, and affect public safety at bus stations.
If an incident were to occur on the Northern Busway, it would be difficult for general traffic to enter and exit the busway as there are only three access points, and local roads provide more options for travel routes.
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