Manukau Station Road bus lane trial Manukau Station Road bus lane trial
Auckland Transport (AT) is proposing changes to Manukau Station Road to improve bus speed and reliability, and pedestrian safety.
Project status: Consultation
Project zone: South
Project overview
Manukau Station Road is a major corridor for the bus network, transporting thousands of commuters in the morning and evening peaks to and from the Manukau Transport Interchange. Given the increasing demand for transport in Auckland and limited opportunities for increasing road capacity in urban areas, it is important that we make effective use of the available road space for moving people.
We have identified a number of bus priority measures on Manukau Station Road to improve service speed and reliability. We have also identified opportunities to improve pedestrian safety.
Benefits
- Time savings for public transport users.
- Improved reliability of bus services.
- Faster, better alternatives to travel by car.
- Improved pedestrian crossing opportunities.
Timeline
- 29 January – 15 February 2019: bus lane trial – eastbound side of Manukau Station Road.
- March/April 2019: Assess trial and finalise wider proposal.
- Late 2019: Consult of the wider proposal.
Project details
Bus lane trial
From 29 January to 15 February 2019, we trialled a bus lane on the eastbound side of Manukau Station Road, between Davies Avenue and Leyton Way. The purpose of the trial was to ensure that any alteration to the road capacity during the operational hours of the bus lane did not adversely impact the nearby SH20 Lambie Drive off-ramp.
The speed limit along this section of Manukau Station Road was also changed to 50km/h for the duration of the trial, and applied to both sides of the road. (Any permanent change to the speed limit will be consulted as part of the wider proposal of public transport and pedestrian improvements for Manukau Station Road.)
Outcome of the trial
The trial was successful, with no adverse impact on the motorway off-ramp. On this basis, the bus lane will remain in place for the time being, and will operate between the hours 7am to 10am, and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday.
We are now looking into some minor modifications, such as green surfacing, to ensure this bus lane is easily identifiable to motorists.
The wider proposal for Manukau Station Road
We had anticipated that following the trial, the eastbound bus lane and speed limit change would be consulted as part of wider programme of public transport and pedestrian improvements planned for Manukau Station Road. This included plans for a bus lane on the westbound side of the road, new pedestrian crossings and bus stops.
These improvements have since been incorporated into a wider corridor upgrade programme, which will combine bus-priority, pedestrian and cycling improvements together into a single upgrade. More information about this project and a community consultation is expected to get underway later in the year. This consultation will include the eastbound bus lane and speed limit. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the operation of the bus lane.