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Driving Driving

Find out how driving in the city centre is changing

We're working to improve Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland's city centre. We're making it a space for all that's greener, safer, and better connected.

This is in line with the City Centre Masterplan, Auckland's 20-year vision for our city centre and waterfront.

To help people travel to and within the city centre more efficiently, we regularly review how we use city centre streets to give more space to people:

  • using public transport
  • walking
  • cycling
  • servicing and delivering to homes and buildings.

We're also shifting the city centre from a place people 'go through' to a place people 'go to'. One example is the Goods Vehicle (GV) and Bus Lane on Queen Street between Wakefield Street and Wellesley Street. 

Queen Street's Goods Vehicles (GV) and Bus Lane

We’re trialling changes that support access for businesses and residents, while improving evening and mobility access and connections to key destinations.   

Queen Street (between Wakefield Street and Wellesley Street)

  • Goods Vehicles and Bus Lane operating between 7am to 7pm daily instead of 24 hours a day.   
  • After 7pm all vehicles will be able to travel along this section.

The trial will run for up to 2 years. This gives us time to monitor what’s working, understand the impacts, and adjust the changes if needed.

Midtown access maps

Midtown drop-off and pick-up areas map

Map of pick-up and drop-off zones

Download the map of midtown drop-off and pick-up areas and mobility parking (PDF, 986KB)

Midtown wider changes map

Map showing how to get around midtown

Download the map of midtown's wider changes (PDF, 1.66MB)

Vehicles that can use GV and Bus Lane

The only vehicles that can use the GV and Bus Lane on Queen Street are:

  • buses
  • bikes
  • mopeds
  • motorbikes
  • emergency vehicles
  • vehicles registered with Waka Kotahi as 'goods vehicles'.

If you enter the GV and Bus Lane with any other type of vehicle between 7am – 7pm, you'll receive a $150 infringement fee.

Other routes you can take

To travel east to west across the city centre, you can use:

  • Mayoral Drive
  • Customs Street
  • Wyndham Street
  • Shortland Street.

If your destination is not in the city centre, look for alternative routes to get you around faster and more efficiently. Consider taking:

  • Customs Street
  • Mayoral Drive
  • or the motorway.

If you can, now is a great time to consider taking the bus, walking, or riding a bike to this area. You can pre-plan your journey using the Journey Planner or download the AT Mobile app.

When driving and to find updated information on disruptions, traffic volumes, and road closures, check navigation apps such as Google Maps or Apple Maps.