Wellesley Street Bus Improvements Wellesley Street Bus Improvements
Auckland Transport (AT) is planning a range of improvements on Wellesley Street as part of the ongoing development of the midtown area. The regeneration of midtown aims to promote growth, productivity, and a vibrant arts and cultural centre in a healthier, more sustainable city.
- Project overview
- The Wellesley Street Bus Improvement project
- Public feedback
- Loading zones and servicing
- Next steps
- Reference material
Project overview
The Wellesley Street Bus Improvements (WSBI) project includes significant upgrades to bus infrastructure, the streetscape, and pedestrian environment along the length of Wellesley Street between Victoria Park and the Learning Quarter (AUT University and University of Auckland).
Over the next decade, these improvements will be delivered in 3 stages:
- Stage 1 – Queen Street to Albert Street (Construction starts autumn 2024 and will be completed by late 2025)
- Stage 2 – Albert Street to Victoria Park
- Stage 3 – Queen Street to the Learning Quarter.
Background
The way people want to spend time and move around the city is changing.
The revitalisation of downtown Auckland, the Wynyard Quarter, and Karangahape Road are examples of how Auckland Council and AT are working together to create a city that reflects how our communities want to live, work, and play, as outlined in the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP).
The focus now shifts to midtown, particularly the area around the City Rail Link’s Te Waihorotiu Station, currently under construction.
Wellesley Street will be the main route for buses crossing the midtown area in the east-west direction. General traffic crossing town will use Victoria Street or Mayoral Drive. Improving bus reliability and frequency is a key component of the project, as is improving access to Te Waihorotiu Station. This station will be the busiest train station in New Zealand, with thousands of people using it every day.
Stage 1
AT will upgrade the entrance to midtown. 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, and established trees. The new-look Wellesley Street will recognise the diverse needs of its citizens while acknowledging its past, reflected in new artwork.
Artist’s render of Wellesley Street West from the corner of Mayoral Drive
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 WSBI will provide seamless links between the station, bus network, and midtown area.
Although the design for stage 1 is not yet finalised, it will include:
- 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 Elliot Street
- a new road layout for a faster, more efficient public transport network.
Stages 2 and 3
Stages 2 and 3 have yet to be designed but will progress when funding has been confirmed.
The Wellesley Street Bus Improvement project
The WSBI project responds to the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) by removing buses from Victoria Street to allow for the Te Hā Noa Victoria Street linear park (Te Hā Noa). It’s also part of the proposed City Centre Bus Plan, which includes Wellesley Street becoming the east-west bus route through midtown. (Consultation on the City Centre Bus Plan closed on 24 October 2021.)
Ultimately, WSBI will deliver significant upgrades to bus infrastructure, the streetscape, and the pedestrian environment along the length of Wellesley Street between Victoria Park and Grafton Gully. These improvements will be implemented in stages over the next decade.
The current focus is on Stage 1, the section of Wellesley Street West between Albert Street and Queen Street. Here, project outcomes include wider footpaths on both sides of the street, six westbound and six eastbound bus stops, and a wider and improved pedestrian crossing between Bledisloe Lane and Elliott Street. New paving and road surfacing, street furniture, and lighting will improve the look, feel, and safety of the street.
Consultations carried out as part of the CCMP and the project’s Indicative Business Case supported this central area of Wellesley Street becoming a bus-only section, and we are currently investigating how we can prioritise buses here while limiting other vehicle movement to local access and essential vehicles only.
Construction is expected to start in mid 2024 and be complete in time for the Te Waihorotiu Station opening. Streets will remain open while the works are completed, and the project team will work hard to minimise disruption in the area.
Auckland Council is building Te Hā Noa Victoria St Linear Park, which will be implemented in stages.
Find out more about Te Hā Noa Victora Street linear park.
Find out more about other central city projects.
Public feedback
From 6 October to 9 November 2021, AT and Auckland Council engaged with the public on Wellesley Street Bus Improvements and Te Hā Noa – Victoria Street. Currently under way, the Te Hā Noa – Victoria Street project will transform Victoria Street into a more pleasant environment, with more greenery and a safer road layout for walking and cycling.
Both projects are essential to midtown regeneration. Engagement focused on how each project will help transform the midtown area and integrate with the space around Te Waihorotiu Station. We also looked at the road layout and operational issues.
Your feedback
Thank you for providing your feedback. Overall, there was a good level of support for both projects, and a number of themes came through in the submissions, summarised below. The full WSBI and Te Hā Noa – Victoria Street public feedback report (PDF 1.6MB) and demographic data (PDF 640KB) are now available.
We will continue to engage with key stakeholders as we work on the design for stage 1.
Loading zones and servicing
Loading and servicing for local businesses and residents are critical elements of the day-to-day operation of the city centre.
We’ll be working with local businesses and property owners on short-term and long-term solutions.
Next steps
Stage 1 construction is expected to start in autumn 2024 and be completed by late 2025. Streets will remain open while the works are under way. The project team will work closely with the Auckland Council Development Response Team to do everything possible to minimise the impact to businesses during construction.
Project teams will continue to work with Auckland Council, City Rail Link Ltd, Vector, Watercare, Healthy Waters, and private developers to ensure the coordination of design and construction. The aim is for a ‘dig once’ approach, to minimise the impact on city centre residents and businesses.
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.