Transport Minister Simeon Brown has officially opened a new section of the Eastern Busway in the heart of his own east Auckland electorate.
Brown, the MP for Pakuranga, was joined by people including Howick ward councillors Sharon Stewart and Maurice Williamson and Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light at the ceremony on March 1.
The latest work has seen William Roberts Road in Pakuranga be extended to connect with Cortina Place and Ti Rakau Drive.
Brown says the Eastern Busway will create more than 7km of dedicated busway between Panmure, Pakuranga Plaza and the Botany Town Centre.
It forms an integral part of the region’s rapid transport network, he says.
“This new extension is almost complete and will soon improve the way east Aucklanders travel in and around Pakuranga, as well as increasing the connectivity to community facilities and medical services.”
Brown says the busway is being constructed in stages and will increase access to jobs and education, attract investment and growth and enable urban development.
The work currently under way follows the successful completion of stage one from Panmure to Pakuranga, which opened in 2021 and is “well used” by commuters, he says.
“Stage two and three of the Eastern Busway between Pakuranga and Burswood, and an on-road connection from Burswood and along Ti Rakau Drive to Botany, will also be completed by the Eastern Busway Alliance.
“Stage two and three will include a flyover above Reeves Road in Pakuranga, which will form a direct connection between the South Eastern Highway and Pakuranga Road to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the [Pakuranga] town centre.”
The NZ Transport Agency board will be considering the funding case for the busway’s final section, stage four, in due course, once the Government’s policy statement on land transport has been released, Brown says.
“When the entire project is fully complete, customers will be able to travel between Botany and Britomart Station by bus and train in about 40 minutes, reducing current journey times by 20 minutes.
“The Government is committed to delivering the Eastern Busway and we’ve recently ensured remaining funds for the Auckland regional fuel tax will be prioritised to complete works currently under construction.”
