​Mixed Reviews on Bus Service Changes

Puketapapa residents have given a mixture of responses to a survey compiled by the Roskill Community Voice team seeking to give feedback to Auckland Transport on the New Network bus changes introduced in the middle of 2018. 293 bus users responded to an online questionnaire about services affecting the Puketapapa Local Board Area.

In broad terms, 36% of users thought their trips were better for timeliness now, 29% saw no change and 31% worse. Frequency improved for 41.5%, stayed the same for 23.5% and worsened for 32%. Finding space on a bus was easier for 30.5%, unchanged for 41.5%, while it was worse for 25.5%. Changes in bus stop locations were better for 44 users, worse for 58 and unchanged for 144.

Individual responses seeking improvements were focused on the need for express buses at the northern end of the Dominion Road (252, 25B and 25L), the frequency of services to Waikowhai (27W) and Hillsborough (27H), the removal of direct services to Newmarket (previously the 277) and the new service from Lynfield to Blockhouse Bay and New Lynn.

Roskill Community Voice has succeeded in getting the last request met with the campaign for the hourly 191 Service from The Avenue commencing on 24 February. The Double Decker service begun on Dominion Road at the end of December will improve capacity for 25B and 25L commuters. However, the 252 express service via McKinnon Drive requires obstacles to double decker buses to be removed so it is being diverted along View Rd and Karangahape Rd until at least April.

Julie Fairey and David Holm worked on the survey and noted that “the results highlight the importance of public transport for many Puketapapa residents, and the value placed on the increased frequency and simplicity of the new network.”  They have found however that there are outstanding issues around easy access to Newmarket, effective express services (252), buses filling up, timing for transfers to work, and other specific problems with bus stops and safe crossing points.  

A report coming out of the survey results, including recommendations for Auckland Transport to consider, will be available via the Roskill Community Voice Facebook page www.facebook.com/roskillCV or you can contact us by phone (0279113030) or email (roskillcv@gmail.com) for more information.