West and Northwest Auckland’s new bus services
We have transformed the bus network in West and Northwest Auckland so you can use buses to travel to more places more often.
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Give your West Auckland buses a go
West and Northwest Auckland has a new bus network that’s easier to use, more frequent and better connected.
Its heart is the WX1 Western Express, connecting Westgate to the City Centre via the new Lincoln and Te Atatu bus interchanges.
- WX1 runs every 10 minutes from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week and every 15 minutes early mornings and late evenings.
- The first service from Westgate starts at 5am weekdays and 6am weekends. The last service leaves the City Centre at midnight.
- Westgate to Britomart takes approximately 50 minutes in morning peak, 40 minutes at midday, and 35 minutes late evenings.
New 11T and 11W services also run between Westgate and the City Centre, going via Great North Road through Point Chevalier, Western Springs and Grey Lynn, combined to run every 10 minutes at peak.
The new 13 service connects Te Atatu and Henderson via Te Atatu Bus Interchange every 8 minutes at peak and every 10 to15 minutes outside peak, from 5am until midnight.
All-day frequency of local routes has been increased and most buses run later in the evenings, giving you better connections all across West Auckland.
Give your new network a go. Check out Journey Planner to find your nearest bus stop.
View the West bus route map
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Getting you to more places more often
On Sunday 12 November 2023, we introduced a new bus network for West and Northwest Auckland.
The Northwest is growing with more houses, more jobs, and more people needing to travel. The previous lack of bus interchanges and bus priority lanes means your bus network was not as frequent, efficient, or reliable as it could be.
Our old bus network tried to run direct services from everywhere to everywhere, mostly at low frequencies, resulting in a complicated bus network. (See model 1 in the following image.)
As Auckland’s population continues to grow, and suitable space in the City Centre for buses remains limited, Auckland Transport needs to make some bold changes to the bus network if we are to keep Auckland moving. We have designed a simpler network, which has higher frequencies and better connections. This will help to make public transport a more attractive option for more people and for more types of journeys. (See model 2 in the following image.)
New bus interchanges
Lincoln Bus Interchange & Te Atatū Bus Interchange
You'll transfer between local and motorway bus services at the new Lincoln Bus Interchange and Te Atatū Bus Interchange.
View Westgate and Northwest Centre Interchange.
Westgate bus stops
- New bus stops at the Northwest Centre enable changes between buses. A new bus station will be built here in the near future.
- The Fernhill Drive and Westgate Drive bus stops will remain with some changes to the routes using them.
- Bus routes using the Northwest Centre bus stops: WX1, 11T, 11W, 111, 112, 114, 116, 122, 123, 125, 126.
- Bus routes using the Fernhill Drive/Westgate Drive bus stops: 11T, 11W, 120, 111, 116, 122, 123, 125, 126.
Transfers enable buses to be utilised more efficiently, so they can be run more often and provide access to more destinations. You can transfer between AT buses, trains and ferries and pay just one fare (based on the fare zones you travel through) for your entire journey with your AT HOP card.
To provide a more reliable and quicker bus journey into the City Centre, the bus shoulder lanes on the Northwestern Motorway have been extended between Westgate and Newton Road and at motorway interchanges to increase priority for buses. This makes bus trips quicker and more reliable. T2 lanes are also being constructed to make bus trips faster and more reliable on local roads.
We are now running more bus trips on the Northwestern Motorway all day, unhindered by traffic conditions on local roads.
The new buses:
- offer a better public transport network by removing duplication and using buses more efficiently.
- allow two times as many people to be in walking distance to a frequent bus route.
- free up the roads for those who really need it.
- reduce congestion and carbon emissions.
- reduce the need to take up land to provide car parking spaces.
- connect communities and improve health outcomes.
- provide independent mobility for those who can’t or choose not to drive.
Find out more on our Northwestern bus improvements page.
New Northwestern Motorway bus services
The WX1 and the 11T and 11W are now the only bus services travelling along the Northwestern Motorway between West Auckland and the City Centre all day. Route 132 travels at the busiest times on weekdays to the City Centre in the morning and from the City Centre in the afternoons and evenings.
You will need to transfer between local bus services and motorway services for most trips to and from the City Centre.
The WX1 began in November this year but we’re already planning improvements to the service in the next couple of years, including brand new zero-emission double-deckers, evening services at every 10 minutes, and a new bus station near Gunton Drive for easier transfers to connecting services.
Route
- The WX1 bus service runs from Westgate to the City Centre via the motorway. This is the quickest way to travel between Westgate and the City Centre using public transport.
- The WX1 service uses bus interchanges at Westgate, Lincoln, Te Atatū and bus stops on Karangahape Road, Queen Street/Albert Street, Lower Albert Street.
Bus service times
- It runs every 10 minutes from 7am to 7pm, every 15 minutes from 7pm to 11:30pm, seven days a week.
- The first trip starts at 5:30am.
- It gets on and off motorway at Newton Road in the City Centre.
We’ve modelled the WX1 on the successful North Shore services NX1 and NX2. The WX1 aims to offer a direct, quick, and reliable trip to or from the City Centre, and is supported by a range of complementary routes and feeder services.
Route
- Travels on Great North Road between Point Chevalier and Grey Lynn and the City Centre, providing connections to Point Chevalier, Western Springs, Grey Lynn, Unitec (Carrington Road) and Auckland Zoo.
- Travels on the motorway between Lincoln Road and Point Chevalier.
- Between Westgate and Lincoln Road, 11T travels through Massey on Triangle Rd and 11W travels on Waimumu Road.
Bus services times
- The 11T and 11W bus services each run every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at other times.
- They combine to run every 10 minutes at peak times and every 15 minutes at other times between Lincoln Road and the City Centre at all times from 5:30am to 11:30pm, seven days a week.
- Peak times are approximately 6.30am to 9am towards the City Centre and 4pm to 6pm from the City Centre, Monday to Friday.
- The 11T runs late night trips from the City Centre on Fridays and Saturdays at 12:35am, 1:35am, 2:35am.
Bus stops
- The 11T and 11W services use bus stops at the Northwest Centre, Fernhill Drive, Westgate Drive, Lincoln Bus Interchange, Te Atatū, Bus Inerchange along Great North Road (between Point Chevalier and Karangahape Road), and on Karangahape Road, Queen Street/Albert Street, Lower Albert Street.
We have introduced new local bus routes for West and Northwest Auckland.
- Route 13 – between Henderson and Te Atatū. A frequent bus to make connections at Henderson for trains and at the new Te Atatu Road interchange for buses to City Centre, Rosebank Road, Lincoln Road and Westgate.
- Route 14 - between New Lynn, Henderson and the new Lincoln Bus Interchange.
- Route 116 - a new route for West Hills.
- Route 123 - a new route between southern Huapai and Westgate. Alternates with the 122 to provide more frequent bus services to Huapai and Kumeū.
- Route 135 - between Henderson and the top of the Te Atatū Peninsula via Edmonton, Flanshaw and Royal View roads.
- Route 145 – between Henderson and the new Lincoln Bus Interchange. Travels through Western Heights connecting to Henderson and the new Lincoln Bus Interchange.
- Route 147 - between Waitakere Township and Henderson via Swanson, Rānui and Lincoln Road. It provides a bus connection with Rānui Station and Waitakere Hospital.
- Route 149 – between Rānui and New Lynn through Rosebank Rd and the new Lincoln Bus Interchange and Te Atatū Bus Interchange.
- Route 148 - the evening and weekend version of the 149 connecting Rānui with the Lincoln Bus Interchange.
Where buses drop off and start from in the City Centre
- The WX1 and the 11T/11W drop passengers off along Karangahape Road and Queen Street. Buses will depart from Lower Albert Street, Hobson Street, Pitt Street and Karangahape Road.
- The route through the City Centre for the 132 hasn't changed and it uses bus stops in the City Centre, starting and finishing on Hobson Street.
What’s changed in your area
- If you're travelling to the City Centre you will need to transfer at the Northwest Centre to a WX1 or 11T/W service.
- 125 runs more often, every 30 minutes at peak times, hourly throughout the day and later into the evening.
- The new 123 runs between Huapai Triangle and Westgate.
- The 122 runs more often so that for the combined 122, 123, and 125 services there will be 4 buses an hour at peak times, 3 buses at hour during the day, Monday to Friday, and 2 buses an hour on weekends.
- 122, 123, and 125 buses leaving Westgate start at Stop A on Westgate Drive and don’t serve Stop B on Fernhill Drive. Their second stop is on Tawhia Drive which is also served by WX1 going to and from the City Centre.
- The WX1, 11T, and 11W provide many more buses between the City Centre and Westgate, so you have more choice about when to travel.
- 112 and 114 go to the Northwest Centre and no longer go to Fernhill Drive bus stops at Westgate.
- 120 has more trips between Westgate and Constellation Station at peak times, and more evening trips from Constellation Station to Westgate. It continues to use bus stops on Fernhill Drive but does not go to the Northwest Centre and so connects with 11T and 11W buses but doesn't directly connect with the WX1 bus service.
- The WX1, 11T, and 11W provide many more buses between the City Centre and Westgate, so you have more choice about when to travel.
The new one-way loop 116 connects the area to the Northwest Centre and bus stops there for the WX1 and other routes.
111 goes to the Northwest Centre.
You can transfer from the 111 to 11T at Royal Road for connections to and from the City Centre.
New bus stops have been built around the Northwest Centre. From there, the new WX1 bus service travels on the motorway between the Northwest Centre and the City Centre connecting with the Lincoln Bus Interchange and Te Atatū Bus Interchange. It doesn't use bus stops on Fernhill Drive in Westgate.
- For Great North Road between Point Chevalier and Karangahape Road use routes 11T (via Triangle Road) and 11W (via Waimumu Road). They use the bus stops at the Northwest Centre and the stops on Fernhill Drive.
- 120 has more trips between Westgate and Constellation Station at peak times, and more evening trips from Constellation Station to Westgate. It continues to use bus stops on Fernhill Drive but does not go to the Northwest Centre and so does not directly connect with the WX1 bus service.
- 147 runs between Waitakere Township and Henderson via Swanson, Rānui, and Waitakere Hospital.
- It travels on Northfield Road and McEntee Road through Waitakere Township to stop closer to more houses.
- 145 replaces most of 141 and 142 routes through Rānui. It connects to the new Lincoln Bus Interchange.
- 147 runs between Waitakere Township and Henderson via Swanson, Rānui and Lincoln Road providing a bus connection with Rānui Station and Waitakere Hospital.
- 149 runs between Rānui and New Lynn through Rosebank Road and the new Lincoln Bus Interchange and Te Atatū Bus Interchange. Route 148 is the evening and weekend version of the 149 connecting Rānui with the Lincoln Bus Interchange.
- 120 continues to use bus stops on Fernhill Drive but does not go to the Northwest Centre and so will not directly connect with the WX1 bus service.
- No change to 143.
- There are now no longer any public buses on Rathgar Road outside Waitakere College, Liston College and Saint Dominic’s Catholic College but there are buses nearby on Swanson Road (Route 120), and Larnoch Road and Pomaria Road (Routes 145 & 147).
- Trips from Henderson to the City Centre now require a transfer at the new Te Atatū Bus Interchange. Transfer there to frequent WX1 and 11T/W buses to the City Centre.
- 13 runs between Henderson and Atatū Peninsula every 8 to 15 minutes until midnight to connect you to buses at the new Te Atatū Bus Interchange.
- 135 runs between Henderson and the tip of the Te Atatū Peninsula via Edmonton Road, Flanshaw Road, Royal View Road, the Te Atatū Bus Interchange.
- 11T and 11W travel into the City Centre.
- 120 uses bus stops on Fernhill Drive, connecting with 11T and 11W but does not go to the Northwest Centre and so does not connect directly with the WX1 bus service.
- 129 no longer operates.
- 145 provides a connection through to Henderson and the new bus interchange at Lincoln Road.
- No change to 143.
- 14 travels between Lincoln Bus Interchange, Waitakere Hospital, Henderson, and New Lynn. Services run every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes evenings.
- 147 serves Waitakere Township, Swanson, Rānui, Waitakere Hospital, and Henderson.
- If you're travelling from Massey or Westgate you can take an 11T or 11W to the new Lincoln Bus Interchange then transfer there to a 14.
There are no longer bus services on Central Park Drive. There are frequent bus services on nearby Lincoln Road.
If you're travelling to the City Centre you will need to transfer at the new Te Atatū Bus Interchange to connect with the frequent WX1 or 11T/W services or you can take the 132 service which runs at weekday peak times in the peak direction.
- 132 runs on weekdays every 30 minutes towards the City Centre between 6:30am and 8:10am and from the City Centre between 4:15pm and 5:45pm.
- From the new Te Atatū Bus Interchange buses travel to the Te Atatū Peninsula, the City Centre, Rosebank, Avondale, New Lynn, Te Atatū South, Henderson, the new Lincoln Bus Interchange, Rānui, Massey, Westgate, and the Northwest Centre.
- 13 runs between Henderson and Atatū Peninsula every 8 to 15 minutes until midnight to connect you to buses at the new Te Atatū Bus Interchange and trains at Henderson.
- 135 runs between Henderson and the northern section of Te Atatu Road up to the top of Te Atatū Peninsula.
- Transfer at the new Te Atatū Bus Interchange for all trips to the City Centre.
- From the new Te Atatū Bus Interchange buses travel to the Te Atatū Peninsula, the City Centre, Rosebank, Avondale, New Lynn, Te Atatū South, Henderson, the new Lincoln Bus Interchange, Rānui, Massey, Westgate, and the Northwest Centre.
- 13 runs between Henderson and Atatū Peninsula every 8 to 15 minutes until midnight to connect you to buses at the new Te Atatu Rd bus interchange and trains at Henderson.
- 135 runs between Henderson and the top of Te Atatū Peninsula via Edmonton Road, Flanshaw Road and Royal View Road.
- For Rosebank Road use route 149 from the new Te Atatū Bus Interchange.
- 149 provides connections to the Lincoln Bus Interchange, Te Atatū Bus Interchange and Rānui. Operates Monday to Friday until about 7pm.
- No change to 22R or 191.
195 travels along Williamson Ave in Grey Lynn in place of Route 134.
126 remains unchanged, travelling on the Coatesville-Riverhead Highway.
School bus services
All our school bus services for West and Northwest Auckland have been retained, and we’ve made two improvements.
- We’ve added one extra bus to the morning S050 service (West Harbour – Henderson schools).
- One of the two current S013 afternoon buses from Rutherford College became a new S014, serving a new part of the college’s zone.
The S013 school service connects Glendene with Rutherford College and has one trip in the morning and one trip in the afternoon.
The second trip in the afternoon has been renumbered S014 and in Glendene diverted to serve View Road instead of Hepburn Road and Barrys Road. This added an afternoon service to a new part of Rutherford College’s enrolment zone.
Services 013 and 014 do not drop off or pick up from the new Te Atatū Road Bus Interchange. Instead, the morning 013 will run non-stop between Royal View Road and Rutherford College, and the afternoon S013 and 014 will run non-stop between Rutherford College and Royal View Road.
Any students needing to go to the bus interchange after school can take Route 13 or 135 from Old Te Atatū Road
The 050 service connects West Harbour, Royal Heights, and Massey with the Waitakere schools around Henderson.
We currently offer one trip to the schools in the morning and two trips from the schools in the afternoon. We have added an additional trip in the morning, starting from the top of Oreil Avenue in West Harbour.
This is scheduled two minutes in front of the existing morning trip (which will continue to start from Hobsonville Road). The additional bus means more students can take the 050 to school in the morning. The service continues to follow its current route.
Please note the changes to public bus services that travel past schools.
Bus stops closing
The last day of service for the following stops will be:
- Stop 5016 on Atkinson Road (route 151)
- Stop 5023 on Atkinson Road (route 151)
These stops are no longer be served by public buses as of 10 November but will still be served by school buses:
- Stop 5018 on Kaurilands Road (route 151)
- Stop 5020 on Kaurilands Road (route 151)
- Stop 5025 on Kaurilands Road (route 151)
- Stop 5027 on Kaurilands Road (route 151)
- Stop 5498 on Kaurilands Road (route 151)
- Stop 1564 on Central Park Drive (route 146)
- Stop 1566 on Central Park Drive (route 146)
- Stop 1579 on Central Park Drive (route 146)
- Stop 1581 on Central Park Drive (route 146)
- Stop 1583 on Central Park Drive (route 146)
- Stop 1585 on Central Park Drive (route 146)
- Stop 1562 on Universal Drive (route 146)
- Stop 1577 on Universal Drive (route 146)
- Stop 5405 on Swanson Road (route 146)
- Stop 5410 on Swanson Road (route 146)
- Stop 5739 on Metcalfe Road (route 142)
- Stop 5752 on Metcalfe Road (route 141)
Stops 5448 and 5735 on Metcalfe Road are not closing and will continue to be served by public buses.
Public consultation
From 4 April to 5 June 2022, Aucklanders had the opportunity to express their views and share their feedback on proposed changes to West Auckland bus services. Feedback from this consultation was used to adjust the proposed bus services to better suit the community's needs.
The West Auckland Bus Services Consultation Summary and Decisions Report outlines the planned changes to bus services and shares the consultation outcomes. It also provides an overview of the responses received and answers questions that were raised.
How we let people know about the changes
To help people through the changes we had AT Ambassadors out on street at busy locations during the first few days of the new services and informed the public through the following channels:
- A brochure delivered to households in the affected area and available at libraries and AT Customer Service Centres.
- Six public drop-in sessions where people could speak with AT representatives about the changes.
- Posters at over 350 bus stops.
- Notifications on AT Mobile and passenger information displays at bus stops.
- Marketing campaign including newspapers and social media
- Information sent to stakeholders including schools, business and residents associations, community groups, medical centres and retirement settings.