Eastern Busway, Auckland

The Eastern Busway, also known as AMETI (the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative), is an urban busway under construction in the southeastern suburbs of Panmure, Pakuranga and Botany, in Auckland, New Zealand. The first section of the busway, between Panmure and Pakuranga, opened in December 2021. The entire project is expected to be complete by 2027.

Background

In early 2018, preliminary demolition and removal of some properties in Panmure took place, and in October 2018, removal of 61 remaining properties began. Auckland Council's transport and property management CCO's, Auckland Transport and Panuku respectively, had worked to re-house affected owners and tenants.

The removal of the 61 properties from Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road was completed in early 2019, allowing construction of the lanes of the Panmure-Pakuranga section to start.

In March 2020 work on the Project was suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Auckland Council applied to Infrastructure Industry Reference Group
for project funding during lockdown.

A new bridge, dedicated to the busway lanes, was built across the Tāmaki Estuary alongside the existing Panmure Bridge. On completion, the busway is expected to account for 35 percent of all journeys across Panmure Bridge, about 22,000 bus passengers per day.

In April 2023, construction began on the final phase of the project, which will see the dedicated busway extended from Pakuranga to a new station at Botany, as well as the provision of separated new walking and cycling facilities.

A new flyover is being constructed over Tī Rākau Drive, connecting the South Eastern Highway to Pakuranga Road. The bridge is said to ease congestion in the area, especially during peak hours.

Busway Stations

Panmure

Panmure Station connects to the Eastern Line train services and bus services towards Newmarket, Sylvia Park and Glen Innes.

Williams Avenue

Located alongside Pakuranga Road, Williams Avenue named after the nearby street of the same name. Construction started in early 2019 and was opened in December 2021.

Pakūranga

Pakūranga is a future busway station that will serve the suburb of Pakuranga and the shopping centre of Pakuranga Plaza. The station is undergoing planning and design and is expected to be opened in 2027.

Edgewater / Te Taha Wai

Edgewater (Te Taha Wai in Māori) is a future busway station, named after the nearby Edgewater Drive. The station is undergoing planning and design and is expected to be opened in 2027. The station will have staggered platform layout, separated by the Edgewater Drive junction.

Gossamer Drive / Te Ara Awhio o Koata

Gossamer Drive (Te Ara Awhio o Koata in Māori) is a future busway station, named after the nearby Gossamer Drive. The station is undergoing planning and design and is expected to be opened in 2027. The station will have staggered platform layout on either side of Gossamer Drive with the platforms being sparated by the junction and the busway crossing over Tī Rākau Drive.

Burswood / Pōhatu

Burswood (Pōhatu in Māori) is a future busway station that will serve the suburb of Burswood. The busway will curve away from Tī Rākau Drive, and the station will located behind Bunnings. The station is undergoing planning and design and is expected to be opened in 2027.

Botany

Botany will be the future terminus of the Eastern Busway, serving the Botany Town Centre shopping centre and suburb of Dannemora. The station is undergoing planning and design and is expected to be opened in 2027.

See also

* Eastern Transport Corridor – a route reserved for an eastern motorway that was politically unpopular and led to the busway project
* Northern Busway, Auckland
* Public transport in Auckland

References

External links

Eastern Busway project - Auckland Transport

{{Public transport in Auckland

Busways
Transport in Auckland