New and improved bus network launches in West and Northwest Auckland

Credit: Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport (AT) has announced that it has rolled out its most substantial improvements to the West and Northwest Auckland bus services, introducing the Western Express (WX1) as its flagship route. The changes include a revamp of existing routes, the addition of over 7km of new bus lanes, two new bus interchanges near the motorway at Lincoln Road and Te Atatū and the installation of more than 40 new bus stops.

The Western Express (WX1) is the focal point of the new network. This route will operate between Westgate, Lincoln Road, Te Atatū and the City Centre, providing buses every six minutes from 07:00 to 19:00, seven days a week. This initiative is part of Auckland Transport’s commitment to enhancing public transportation by making it more accessible, efficient and reliable.

Waitākere Councillor Shane Henderson said: “The Northwest is growing. By 2046, there will be 37,000 new houses, 11,000 new jobs and nearly triple the number of people travelling along the Northwestern Motorway (SH16). Currently people living in the Northwest have limited public transport options and when you combine this with the amount of growth, we are seeing huge pressure on the road network. The West and Northwest haven’t been well served by public transport until now. With these changes, more than twice as many people will be in walking distance of a frequent bus route.”

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“Local trips to hubs like Henderson will also be much easier, with more buses more often. The network will be based around not just commuters heading into the city, but also around people travelling across West Auckland,” said Stacey van der Putten, Auckland Transport‘s Executive General Manager of Public Transport. “We do acknowledge, however, that these changes will mean some people will need to take two buses to complete their journey. Remember if you do this, you will not have to pay for two fares if you tag onto another service within 30 minutes.”

These bus improvements are the outcome of extensive stakeholder engagement and consultation, signalling the initial phase of a broader plan to provide residents with more reliable and frequent public transportation choices in the area.

In addition to the route enhancements, plans for a new Westgate Bus Station are in progress, with construction expected to commence in early 2024. Interim bus stops at Westgate (Kedgley Rd) will be available to support the new bus services until the completion of the new station.