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Better bus connections for Devonport

A vastly improved local bus network is coming soon, to better connect locals to village shopping and the Devonport ferry.

In October 2020, Auckland Transport (AT) asked locals for their feedback on two options for the future of local bus services - enhanced bus services; or whether to convert the AT Local on-demand trial into a permanent solution with reduced bus services - on the Devonport Peninsula.

After considering local feedback and ideas, and under the financial constraints of the COVID-19 emergency budget, AT will be proceeding with Option A: Enhancing the local bus network and removing AT Local from the Devonport Peninsula.

The enhanced local bus network will see the 806 and 807 running more often at peak commuting times.

From 1 March 2021, the 806 and 807 will run every 20 minutes and connect with every Devonport ferry at peak times on weekdays. Buses will run every 30 minutes at all other times on weekdays until at least 8.45pm.

On weekends, the 806 and 807 will continue to run every 30 minutes until after 7pm, extending until almost 9pm, from Sunday 25 April 2021.

A new bus service will cover some areas that aren’t currently served by buses.

A new 805 will connect the Belmont shops, Ngataringa Road, Lake Road and the Devonport village and Ferry Terminal and run hourly, Monday to Friday, from approximately 9.15am until 3.55pm.

The AT Local on-demand passenger service trial has shown that this form of public transport can be successful in Auckland. It will now be considered as a option where public transport is being introduced for the first time; where there is limited demand due to low population density; or where this type of service offers greater customer flexibility or cost efficiency than traditional timetabled bus services.

Councillor Chris Darby says the changes mean that most locals on the peninsula will now be within walking distance of a reliable bus service connecting to village shopping and the Devonport ferry.

"As a daily Stanley Bay ferry user and regular AT Local passenger, I lament the loss of those services but acknowledge that numerous options have been thoroughly canvassed. Insurmountable cost implications in the face of COVID-19 affected budgets mean that dramatically better bus services are the answer for now.

"Bus-ferry connections have previously been problematic, so it’s good to see that both the 806 and 807 will meet every Devonport ferry at peak times. This will also minimise the impact of the removal of the Stanley Bay ferry, a service that saw declining patronage prior to COVID-19 and even more drastic reductions since.

"Combined with the recent introduction of integrated bus/ferry fares, bus travel to or from a connecting ferry is now free and frequent."

Mark Lambert, AT's Executive General Manager of Integrated Networks, says this decision means AT can better address the issues with the public transport network that were identified by the consultation respondents.

"A major issue was that specific areas were not being served by buses and that bus-ferry connections at Devonport needed improvement.

"Option A also gives former Stanley Bay ferry users the best possible connection with the Devonport ferry and is easy to understand, with bus services running all day, seven days a week.

"Customer feedback and consultation responses were positive towards the AT Local on-demand passenger service trial - with passenger targets met. This gives us a new option when considering new or changed public transport services across Auckland. At this time, converting the existing AT Local trial service levels to a permanent feature while retaining or enhancing local bus services is not possible in Devonport to meet all customer requirements and maintain reasonable costs for ratepayers."

Ferry operator, Fullers360, announced this week that it will roll out a new 20-minute peak commuter schedule on the Devonport-to-Auckland CBD ferry network, introduced to provide a more resilient service to North Shore communities.

The enhanced local bus network aligns with this new 20-minute sailing timetable.

Important dates

  • Sunday 21 February - AT's Journey Planner and AT Mobile will be updated so travellers can plan their journeys using the new bus service and timetables.
  • Friday 26 February - The AT Local trial on the Devonport Peninsula will end. AT Local will not run on the Peninsula after this date.
  • Monday 1 March - The 806 and 807 will start running to new weekday timetables.
  • Monday 1 March - The 805 will start running.
  • Sunday 25 April - The 806 and 807 will start running to new weekend timetables.

Attend an information session

If you have any questions, or need help with the new and improved bus services, come to a drop-in session at the Devonport Library:

  • Saturday 20 February 2021 from 10am to 2pm
  • Tuesday 23 February 2021 from 1pm to 4pm.

For more detailed information regarding the consultation and the feedback received, from 4 February 2021 you can download the Consultation Summary and Decisions Report from the Devonport AT local and bus changes project page.