A loop around the northwest
A look at the improvements building on the northwest bus network in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Today, I braved the rainy weather in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and went on a bus trip around the northwestern suburbs to check out the latest changes to the bus network. These changes build on the new bus network that was introduced in November 2023 through the delivery of upgrades to the WX1 and the 120 to become a frequent route.
So, top up your HOP card or grab your debit card, and we’ll go on a bus trip out west.
WX1:
We’ll start at Lower Albert Street to catch the WX1 to Westgate from the top deck of one of the new electric double-deckers that have been introduced as part of the bus contract with Transit Group, which has added 44 single and double-decker electric buses to the fleet. These electric double-deckers not only help reduce emissions and air pollution. It will increase the capacity of the route with patronage of the WX1 growing at a fast pace with the route exceeding patronage expectations in its first year by 45%.
This is a promising sign, especially with the investment case for the Northwest Rapid Transit project being endorsed by the NZTA Waka Kotahi board last week with the preferred option being a busway along the Northwestern Motorway from the city centre to Brigham Creek, similar to the Northern Busway on the North Shore. The busway will result in faster and accessible journeys from the northwest to the city centre via public transport, with seven stations along the corridor. Construction has begun on the new bus station at Westgate with design, investigation and consenting work currently underway for the busway.
11 and 13:
The 11T and 11W (which run to Westgate via Great North Road) are running with more services, now running up to 6 trips per hour up to 9 pm on weekdays. Additional services have to be added to the 13’s on weekday afternoons (3 pm - 6 pm), with 5 services running the full route per hour and 1 shortened route between Te Atatū Library to Henderson.
12:
I made a quick transfer at Westgate to the 120 (Henderson to Constellation Station via Westgate, Hobsonville and Greenhithe), which has been upgraded to a frequent route, becoming the 12, running 15 minutes (the route will temporarily run every 30 mins at off-peak times). This upgrade of the 120 will create a frequent bus connection between West Auckland and the North Shore and improve the accessibility of Hobsonville Point and Greenhithe by public transport, connecting to the WX1 at Westgate and to the NXs at Constellation. The 12 will also run via SH18 between Greenhithe and Constellation Station, creating more direct journeys. The 12 will continue travelling to Akoranga Station at peak times for Westlake school students.
902:
To replace the Albany Highway, Sunset and Greenhithe Rd sections of the 120 between Greenhithe to Constellation Station. The 902 has been introduced: The new route will run every 30 minutes (5:45 am - 9 pm) and hourly (9 pm - 11 pm).
As we board the NX and head back to the city centre, it’s great to see these improvements introduced to build on the success of the bus network changes made in 2023 and make it easier to get around Tāmaki Makaurau by public transport.