Wellesley Street Bus Improvements Wellesley Street Bus Improvements
The new Te Waihorotiu Station will transform Wellesley Street into a major transport interchange. This project is part of Auckland Transport’s work to create a greener, safer and better-connected city centre for everyone.
Project update
With the first phase of intensive watermain installation and connections successfully completed, we are now moving forward with the northern footpath and road construction. We’re also advancing to the next section of watermain installation across Elliott Street.
Key updates:
- The northern footpath is now being paved.
- The new northern concrete road carriageway is expected to be operational from mid-2025.
- In mid-2025, construction will shift to the southern side of Wellesley Street. Some minor finishing works may continue on the northern side.
- Bus shelters, street furniture and streetlights will be installed later in the year.
- Elliott Street crossing island will be completed late-2025.
Find out more from our March update newsletter (PDF,1.78MB).
Project overview
When the City Rail Link opens in 2026, Te Waihorotiu Station at Aotea Square will be one of 2 new train stations in the city centre. Wellesley Street will become a thriving pedestrian and entertainment destination and new gateway to the city. Thousands of people will arrive by train and high-frequency bus routes, making Wellesley Street an important transport interchange, just like Lower Albert Street and Britomart in the downtown area.
Over the next decade, improvements to Wellesley Street will be delivered in 3 stages:
- Stage 1 – Queen Street to Albert Street (Construction starts 15 April 2024 and will be completed by late 2025)
- Stage 2 – Albert Street to Victoria Park
- Stage 3 – Queen Street to the Learning Quarter.
Background
Aucklanders want to access and move around the city centre safely and with ease, whether they’re living there, working there or visiting the area. Auckland Transport (AT) will improve bus reliability, frequency and access with an upgraded interchange, Te Waihorotiu Station.
The new train station will make Wellesley Street a main route for buses travelling east–west and an arrival point for thousands of people coming into the city by train.
The Wellesley Street Bus Improvements project includes upgrading the underground utilities and rebuilding the road and footpaths. AT will build 4 new bus shelters, widen the footpaths, improve pedestrian crossings, improve loading zones, and create seating and amenities in public spaces around the new station.
Stage 1
AT will upgrade Wellesley Street between Albert Street and Queen Street. As passengers board their bus or exit Te Waihorotiu Station, they’ll see a significantly improved Wellesley Street, with wide open pavements for ease of movement, large bus shelters, public seating and established trees. The new-look Wellesley Street will recognise the diverse needs of its citizens while acknowledging its past, reflected in new artwork.
Visit Getting around Auckland’s city centre for the latest updates and advice for travelling through Wellesley Street during construction.
Artist’s render of Wellesley Street from Queen Street
Progress of Te Waihorotiu Station, which will have an entrance on the corner of Albert Street and Wellesley Street, is well under way, with street-level works soon to be completed. Stage 1 of the Wellesley Street Bus Improvements project will provide seamless links between the station, bus network and midtown area.
The design for stage 1 includes:
- improved bus facilities for a high volume of passengers
- wider footpaths for the expected increase in foot traffic with the opening of Te Waihorotiu Station, bus operations, and future business and residential development
- an improved mid-block crossing between Bledisloe Lane and Elliott Street
- a new road layout for a faster, more efficient public transport network
- underground utility upgrades
- new seating and quiet spaces
- improvements to Queen Street loading zone
- new water fountain
- additional tree protection
- new paving and road surfacing.
Stages 2 and 3
Stages 2 and 3 have yet to be designed but will progress when funding has been confirmed.
Artist’s render of Te Waihorotiu Station
Keeping in touch
To subscribe for project updates, email ATengagement@at.govt.nz and include ‘Wellesley Street Bus Improvements’ in the subject line.
For up-to-date information on all projects currently under way as part of the midtown regeneration programme, subscribe to Auckland Council’s regular newsletter using the QR code below. You can also visit Progress AKL: Midtown neighbourhood.
Reference material
The City Centre Masterplan
The City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) is Auckland Council’s unifying strategy, a 20-year vision that sets the direction for all city centre and waterfront projects. Its purpose is to ensure that our city is shaped into a better-connected, greener, and more people-focused city we can be proud of.
A key concept of the CCMP is Access for Everyone (A4E). This new way of using our streets will allow pedestrians, cyclists, and buses to move freely while preserving access for vehicle trips needed to support the city centre, such as deliveries, construction, and emergency services. It will open up new public spaces, create pedestrian-friendly links, and improve deliveries to businesses and residents.
City Centre Bus Plan
The proposed City Centre Bus Plan sets out the approach that Auckland Transport aims to take in planning for buses in Auckland’s city centre, to help deliver the outcomes of the CCMP.
Find more about the City Centre Bus Plan.