Auckland CBD’s future public transport network: a combination of bus, rail and tram

Auckland CBD’s public transport network: a combination of bus, rail and tram

It is expected to see within a few years, Auckland CBD will have a combination public transport network, which consists of bus, rail and tram services.

Currently, the Auckland Transport is planning to improve bus services around the Auckland CBD, and the surrounding city suburbs like Ponsonby, Parnell and Pt Chevalier. The map of showing the proposed new bus network in the central Auckland is provided below. The original map is accessed: http://www.maxx.co.nz/media/12194/cbd%20and%20western%20bays%20proposed%20new%20routes%20march%202011.pdf




Proposed changes to the bus network
Map Cred: MAXX Auckland Transport

The changes will be made in terms of higher quality buses, more frequent and better connected inner city service, faster universities connections, better connections to Wynyard Quarter, quicker and more direct LINK bus services, an addition of new outer loop service and other addition route to other parts of the inner city suburb. 

the inner city LINK bus service
Photo Cred: flickr YAHOO.

The improved bus services will enable more frequent, reliable and connective bus services, and make it more easier to get around in the central Auckland. Moreover, the new proposed bus network will be expected to work collaboratively with the new tram and rail way network. The combination of the three inner city public transport network will work together efficiently to make a real difference to the inner city travel mode, public transport will be predominately used in the inner Auckland and expected to largely replace the current mode of private vehicle travel.


the city circuit free bus
image Cred: thetraveleditor



Reference:

MAXX Auckland Transport, (2011) Proposed changes to Auckland’s CBD and inner suburbs buses, http://www.maxx.co.nz/info/network-developments/proposed-changes-to-auckland's-cbd-and-inner-suburbs-buses.aspx, (accessed: 16/May/2011).

Britomart Transport Center- transport hub in Auckland

As discussed before in the preceding articles in my blog, we see the Auckland rail loop and the Waterfront tramway are both proposed to link to Britomart Railway Station. Let’s now have a look at the use of Britomart Station and its significant role as a transport centre in Auckland, and even in New Zealand.



Britomart Transport Center
photo Cred: Wikipedia

Britomart is located in downtown at Queens Street, it is the CBD public transport hub of Auckland, and it’s the northern terminus of the North Island Main Trunk Line, which links to the country’s capital Wellington. At present it contains bus interchange within the railway station.


Map of North Island Main Trunk Railway
map Cred: Mueller

The rail has work effectively throughout the years to make the total amount of travellers using public transport to increase significantly, primarily for an increase for domestic travel. It is introduced that the rail patronage has increased from 2.5 million journeys in 2003 to 9.2 million in 2011 this year.


the Britomart transport station
photo Cred: Britomart Transport Center

Currently the station holds a capacity of serving up to 10,500 passengers during peak hour of a day. To meet the future needs and increase the capacity of rail, a tunnel underneath Auckland CBD is to be established soon. With the addition of the Waterfront tramway linked to it, the Britomart station is expected to finally fullfill the needs of the increased travel demand and meet public expectations that “Britomart opened ahead of its time”. 

the busy Britomart
photo Cred: canvass Auckland



Reference:

Wikipedia, (April/25/2011) North Island Main Trunk,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Island_Main_Trunk_Railway, (accessed: 14/May/2011).

Wikipedia, (May/8/2011) Britomart Transport Center,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britomart_Transport_Centre, (accessed: 14/May/2011).

Recommendations to Auckland CBD project on Waterfront trams

By study on the project on Auckland Waterfront trams and Melbourne City’s tram system, and a comparison between them, here are some recommendations I made to Auckland Waterfront trams which is under construction recently.


tramway under construction
photo Cred: AKT

Since Melbourne has the world’s biggest tram system in the world and it has been operated successfully and effectively throughout the years, some of its application can be installed on Auckland’s electric tram system to improve on the project that is currently being urdertaken.

l  Melbourne: to cope with the roading system, the trams are given priority to use the road and to pass first at intersections.

Auckland: there’s an issue over how motorists will cope with trams making the turn at intersection, in addition to heavy traffic. Such as at the interaction near Vodafone, it’s a busy turning point already.



the corner near Vodafone at Viaduct
photo Cred: AKT

I think the solution could be use of traffic light at the intersection, and to give the tram priority to turn at the corner, while at the same time, to make sure other vehicles run fluently without crowding. Auckland: on-road parking will be removed due to the installation of the tramline. But will there be an issue for lack of parking spaces for the motorists? Especially for the place where there are businesses around, which means there will be a lot of cars parking there. For present, the tram is primarily designated for use for tourists, but it is hard to say how many local travellers will use the tram for their travel. If the local travellers decide to take the tram for their travel to work or the places nearby, there could be less dependence on the cars, therefore, there won’t be lack of parking space any more.



Curbside car parking is being lost

photo Cred: AKT

Another interesting feature in terms of the design of the tram or railway is regarded environmental friendly, which is the green railway. The trams are gliding along on beds of grass and the idea that undermined the design is about a combination of landscaping with transportation. Maybe there’s an opportunity for Auckland to apply this idea of use of green tramway to our tram system as well?

Green tramway at Melbourne
image Cred: MRC McLean Hazel




Reference:

AKT, (April/07/2011) Waterfront Trams to Britomart,

http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2011/04/07/waterfront-trams-to-britomart/,(accessed: 12/May/2011).

Meinhold, B. (Jan/27/2009) Europe’s Grass-Lined Green Railways,

http://inhabitat.com/europes-grass-lined-green-railways-good-urban-design/,(accessed: 13/May/2011).

Uncertainty over Auckland’s next harbour crossing

Previously, we have discussed there’s a crucial need for a second harbour crossing in Auckland to accommodate the future growth. But according to fact, there’s a lots discussion raised from the public and the government concerning uncertainty over the second harbour crossing, especially for the government, the fact is that many councillors have failed to get excited over the second harbour crossing plans.



Auckland Harbour Bridge
photo Cred: One News



Some news and discussion from recently are provided here as a reference.

From March of this year, it starts from the NZ Transport Agency claims that a second harbour crossing is needed within 20 years. An evaluation report is published by NZTA, which examines the costs and benefits of two different crossing options in terms of tunnel and bridge.

Then followed by that, the news reported the responses from the councillors to the plan, it argues that many councillors fail to get excited over the second harbour crossing plans by Mike Lee. He thinks the plan by the NZTA does not mean anything except it reopened the issue and triggered debate over on this issue. He also adds that “the public have a clear idea of what they would prefer, and the mayor has a vision…that includes rail across the harbour.” And the Auckland councillors think there is no need for building a second crossing within the next 20 years. While in general, some citizens thought the latest study by NZTA is just a waste of money and always come to the same conclusions as the previous study. Overall, there has been uncertainty over the next harbour crossing. Maybe what we need to ask here is that is there a future for Auckland to have the second harbour crossing?

 

 

 

 

Reference:

Auckland Transport Blog, (28/June/2010) More on Auckland Harbour Crossing Issue, http://transportblog.co.nz/2010/06/28/more-on-the-auckland-harbour-crossing-issue/, (accessed: 09/May/2011).

ONE News, (22/Mar/2011) Second harbour crossing ‘needed within 20 years’, http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/second-harbour-crossing-needed-within-20-years-4078460, (accessed: 13/May/2011).

Orsman, B. (6/April/2011) Councillors fail to get excited over second harbour crossing plans, http://www.nzherald.co.nz/auckland-regional-council/news/article.cfm?o_id=16&objectid=10717410, (accessed: 11/May/2011).

A study on Melbourne’s city tram system

Melbourne’s tram network is one of the biggest tram systems in the world and it is a vital part of inner city transport. (VICSIG, 2011) The trams operate 20 hours a day, covering 2445 route kms, with 1770 tram stops provided along the way.



Melbourne's tram system
picture Cred: Wikipedia

Trams in Melbourne are second most used form of public transport service just after the railway network. In terms of its operation and running on the road, trams are given the priority at the intersections, and on some congested streets, trams also have the priority in road usage.

The trams in Melbourne have become a unique feature and part of the city’s character, it is not only used as a transport service, but also attractive to the tourists.

In more detail, different classes of trams used, such as W-class trams, Z-class trams, A-class trams and C, D class. They are classified according to their different characteristics in aspects of carry capacity, speed, and provision of services. There has been additional service added into the tram system, with regard to the improvement of access for the disabled.


Improved access for the disabled people
image Cred: practical public

Another interesting feature of Melbourne’s tram is that there have been suggestion from the public on bring back the tram conductors on the tram system. Many see it as opportunities for fostering a ‘tram culture’ within the community.

  

tram conductors

image Cred: facebook: bring back tram conductors on Melbourne's tram system

The video below will help to get a real sense of the city tram network at Melbourne and understand how the tram system is operated on the road.
Video 1: Melbourne’s Tram

This video provides a detail look at the very large, thriving and expanding tramway system of Melbourne. The trams likely run everywhere across the city and this video is fun.

Another video is also accessed here for which it sees the tram system runs perfectly within the road network, vehicles can pass by the tram or even run follow behind the tram.

Video 2: Melbourne Trams, 2009

                                                               

Reference

Brient, A, (2010) Bring Back Trams Conductors on Melbourne’s Tram System, http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/share-your-ideas/item/root/bring-back-tram-conductors-on-melbournes-tram-system.html, (accessed: 25/04/2011).

Wikipedia, (2011) Trams in Melbourne, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Melbourne, (accessed: 28/04/2011).

Tracking the ongoing tram project

The latest news is released that the Auckland waterfront heritage tram line has been advanced and the government are exploring ways to extend the tramway to the Britomart Transport Center as soon as possible. (AKT, 2011)

 

tramway underconstruction
photo Cred: AKT

And this is what it looks like for Daldy St in the future.

Future view for Daldy Street
photo Cred: AKT

Here are some planning issues with regard to this project:

  

 l  Total cost of restoring the tram system

$8 million.

 l  Explanation of the initiatives of government for carrying on this project

The project is designed with a purpose for making Wynyard Quarter a more attractive place to the visitors. One fact with regard to the tram network is that it is not one of Auckland’s tourist highlights actually, currently, the place around the Wynyard Quarter is not being fully developed and occupied, and with nothing unique for its features, however, the government are confident in developing this area a better place for the tourists in the oncoming years and with an initiatives in transforming this area into an exciting place. I think with regard to the future development, this area is mostly likely to be developed as a recreation center for the local community, especially for the visitors from the outside. Bars, shops, retails are likely the most to be located in this area and the outdoor design of the Wynyard Quarter will be particularly significant in order to achieve the best outcome.

 l  Expected use of the tram

The tram can be quite attractive for the visitors, therefore, the trams are to be used primarily for the tourists, however, it has been recognised by the government that when the tramline gets to Britomart, it could be a different story, as many people work in that area. With regard to this issue, I think there could be a problem in terms of the capacity of the tram and the actual needs of the passengers, that is between the demand and supply.

 l  How the trams are incorporated with the existing transport system

Concerns have been raised with regard to the restoration of the tram system into the existing road network. One of the issues is that as the tramline will run in parallel with the traffic lane, it would have impact on the existing roading system, especially at busy streets where there are large number of cars and buses running on the road. In addition to the heavy traffic, another concern is that as Auckland motorists have not had trams since the 1950s, they may not have any experience to work with the tram, and they may never have learnt the intricacies of manoeuvring around them as practised by experienced locals in Melbourne. (AKT, 2011) In dealing with these issues, I think it’s better for the government to improve on the existing road network, particularly with a focus on the intersection, since the new built tramline will have conjunction with the existing traffic lines.



Melbourne's tram system
Photo Cred: terminalia organisation



Reference:

AKT, (April/7/2011) Waterfront Trams to Britomart, http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2011/04/07/waterfront-trams-to-britomart/, (accessed: 19/04/2011).

AKT, (May/03/2011) Waterfront Trams Near Destination, http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2011/05/03/waterfront-trams-nears-destination/, (accessed: 24/04/2011).

Auckland CBD new project: waterfront trams: bringing back of the heritage tram

Last year in June, the Auckland Regional Council has released the news to bring back the electric trams to the Auckland waterfront, this is after an absence of more than 50 years since the electric tram system were removed from the city streets in 1956 (AKT, 2010).



Trams in downtown Auckland 50 years ago
photo Cred: AKT



With regard to the earlier work by the Auckland Regional Council on design of the project, there were two phased proposal for the tramway generally.

Phase One focuses on Wynyard Quarter with a single track loop circuiting Gateway Plaza, Jellicoe Street, Halsey Street, Gaunt Street and Beaumont Street.

Phase Two sees the trams linking to the CBD and connecting it with existing public transport network at Britomart and on Queen Street. (AKT, 2010)



Motat trains will run along the waterfront
Photo Cred: AKT

At last, it is recommended by the government to run the trams around Wynyard Quarter since it would activate this area in the future. It is proposed that the tramway will eventually link the future Wynyard Park, North Wharf and the Viaduct Events Center with Britomart and Queens Wharf. However, since the problem remains unresolved about how to connect the Wynyard Quarter to Britomart for a best option, the government has decided to put down building the connection between the Wynyard and the CBD currently in order to embark on this project soon to see the outcome. (AKT, 2011)

Now the plan is being carried on in the inner city is much likely focusing on phase one of the designed project. The tram will simply travel clockwise on a 1.5km circuit of Wynyard Quarter between Jellicoe, Halsey, Gaunt and Daldy Sts. The picture below shows the proposed tramway.

The heritage tram will travel on a 1.5km circuit of Wynyard Quarter between Jellicoe, Halsey, Gaunt and Daldy Sts
Photo Cred: AKT 

This is how it looks when the proposal is finished.

the waterfront tram system
Photo Cred: AKT



Reference:

AKT, (June/3/2010) The Trams Are Back, http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/06/03/the-trams-are-back/, (accessed: 20/04/2011).

AKT, (April/7/2011) Waterfront Trams To Britomart, http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2011/04/07/waterfront-trams-to-britomart/, (accessed 21/04/2011).