NX2 Albany to Universities bus route and service layovers public feedback report Total number of public submissions received = 71

Transcription

1 1 NX2 Albany t Universities bus rute and service layvers public feedback reprt Ttal number f public submissins received = 71 1

2 2 Cntents Summary... 3 Outcme f cnsultatin... 3 Key themes identified in feedback... 4 Next steps... 6 Backgrund... 7 Prject infrmatin... 7 Interim rute... 8 Permanent rute... 8 Cntext... 9 Cnsultatin Activities t raise awareness Giving feedback Yur feedback Overview Brad feedback themes Bus rute and service Bus stps and shelters Bus layvers Car parking, lading zne and taxi stand Crssings, pedestrian and cycling amenity Envirnment and cmmunity Rad and rad users Attachment 1: Summary f written feedback submissins Waitematā Lcal Bard Heart f the City The University f Auckland (UA) Ecn Ldge City Central Htel Tny s Steakhuse The Regency Apartments Heavy Haulage Assciatin f NZ Attachment 1: Feedback frm Attachment 2: Design suggestins and AT respnses... 24

3 3 Summary We cnsulted n this prpsal frm 5 26 June 2018 and received 71 public submissins. Outcme f cnsultatin We have taken yur feedback nbard and will prceed with wrks t enable the new NX2 service, with the fllwing changes t what was prpsed: The prpsed new NX2 bus shelter build fr the starting stp n Wellesley Street East will nt g ahead. Due t the heritage status f the nearby building the shelter is subject t heritage design standards and will be implemented as part f future wrks. Retain the current bus layver lcatin (utside Wakefield Street) and place the bus stp in the lcatin riginally prpsed fr the layver (utside 2 Wakefield Street), t mitigate driver visibility cncerns. Retain the lading zne n Wellesley Street West (between Albert/Ellitt Streets) and implement all ther prpsed bus layver spaces t supprt the NX2, Dminin Rad, and AUT shuttle bus services. Install additinal r new signage t clearly signpst bus stps and bus layver spaces, include n idling ntices fr buses ccupying the layvers. Keep the existing pedestrian crssing n Wakefield Street, and nt prceed with the prpsed crssing relcatin and design changes. Mve the duble layver at the suthern-mst end f Wakefield Street t the western side f the street, t imprve visibility leading int the existing pedestrian crssing and help buses track safely t make the left-hand turn int Symnds Street. Intrduce rad markings instead f the prpsed kerb cut-back t help buses track safely int the left-hand turn frm Wakefield Street int Symnds Street. Prune instead f remving the three trees utside AUT Marae (69 Wellesley Street) t enable safe passage f the NX2 duble decker buses.

4 4 The map abve is an updated versin f the riginal cnsultatin map shwing the final NX2 bus rute, service layver lcatins, and cnfirmed changes t supprt its delivery by September Key themes identified in feedback Frm yur feedback we identified the fllwing key themes: A range f suggested changes t the NX2 city centre rute, including extending it t the hspital and Newmarket r aviding Wakefield Street by using Wellesley Street r Karangahape Rad t cnnect t Symnds Street (18%, 13 respnses). Cncerns the prpsed Wakefield/Symnds Street intersectin pedestrian crssing is unsafe and des nt cmply with design standards. Mst felt the use f fencing t guide pedestrians psed a hazard t all rad users (18%, 13 respnses). Changes t the Nrth Shre prtin f the NX2 rute; mst wanted Massey University Albany campus and/r Hibiscus Cast statin included t make the service mre cnvenient t peple wh live, wrk r study nrth-side (17%, 12 respnses).

5 5 Requests t increase the NX2 service perating hurs; start befre 7.00am fr citybund travellers, and sme requests t cntinue service after 7.00pm fr utbund travellers (10%, seven respnses). Cncerns the NX2 rute may increase cngestin, particularly alng Symnds Street; als cncerns bus users based n the Hibiscus Cast will revert t driving if the rute is incnvenient t them (8%, six respnses). Cncerns frm lcal prperty wners, ccupiers and business wners abut the lss f n-street parking, saying it will impact tenant, guest and/r custmer access t residences r businesses (7%, five respnses). Five respndents (7%) preferred the current pedestrian crssing lcatin at the Wakefield/Symnds Street intersectin; believe it is safer than the prpsed pedestrian crssing lcatin and design and fllws desire lines mre clsely. Oppsitin t the prpsed remval f the Wellesley Street West lading zne, saying it will cause significant incnvenience t lcal businesses and service delivery cmpanies wh use it 24 hurs a day (7%, five respnses). Requests and suggestins fr an alternative nearby lading zne ptin t supprt lcal business and service deliveries cmpanies (7%, five respnses). Requests and suggestins t relcate the prpsed new NX2 bus stp n Wakefield Street (4%, three respnses). Cncerns the NX2 bus service will increase nise and air pllutin, affecting residents and lcal businesses alng the rute (4%, three respnses). Requests t relcate the new NX2 bus stp prpsed n Wakefield Street; believe this lcatin is nt ideal fr passengers t walk uphill frm r crss safely and may cause platning f buses awaiting use f the stp (4%, three respnses). Tw respndents (3%) suggested relcating r mitting the bus layver prpsed fr Wellesley Street West; believe it is nt needed with ther inner-city layver areas available nearby.

6 6 Key feedback themes verall Change NX2 bus rute (city centre) Wakefield/Symnds St crssing safety cncerns Change NX2 bus rute (Nrth Shre) Increase NX2 bus perating hurs Cncerns prpsed rute will increase cngestin Cncerns abut lss f n-street car parking Retain current Wakefield/ Symnds St crssing Other LZ ptins fr lcal business /service deliveries Cncerns abut/ppsitin t lss f LZ Relcate prpsed bus stp (Wakefield St) Cncerns prpsal will increase city pllutin Relcate prpsed NX2 bus stp (Wakefield Street) Relcate/mit prpsed layver (Wellesley St W) Number f submitters (n=71) A full verview f yur feedback and design suggestins can be fund in Attachment 2 alng with ur respnses t yur feedback. Next steps We plan t begin wrk in mid-august 2018 t enable the NX2 service t begin peratins frm late September. The wrk requires mstly changes t signage and rad markings, alng with sme minr rad wrks and tree pruning; this will be cmpleted by the end f August. We will aim t minimise the impact f this wrk, and will cmmunicate with all affected parties ahead f the wrk start date.

7 7 Backgrund Prject infrmatin As part f its New Netwrk (NN), Auckland Transprt is prgressively rlling ut a mre cnnected and frequent bus service acrss the regin. This includes the new NX2 service, a predminantly duble decker rute frm Albany Statin t the Universities via Nrthern Express Busway and Wellesley Street. The NX2 will replace bth the 881 rute frm busway statins t the universities, hspital and Newmarket, and the current express services frm the East Cast Bays t Mayral Drive. The service will run at least every 15 minutes, 7.00am t 7.00pm, seven days a week, with buses every three t fur minutes during peak hurs. A number f bus layvers and stps are required t ensure the NX2 and ther services can travel safely and efficiently alng the rute. The changes are required t be in place by 1 September 2018 t ensure NX2 service drivers will have ample pprtunity t familiarise themselves with the new rute. T enable the required NX2 bus rute and service layvers, we riginally prpsed t: Remve all car park spaces (apprximately 35) and parking meters alng the eastern sides f bth Wakefield Street and Mayral Drive, and the Wellesley Street East dwnhill ramp, t make way fr new bus stps and layver spaces fr the NX2, Dminin Rad and AUT shuttle bus services. Relcate the existing AUT bus stp n Wellesley Street East t Mayral Drive and replace it with an AT NX2 bus shelter. Remve ne lading zne n Wellesley Street West (between Albert/Ellitt Streets) t accmmdate a bus layver. Replace the tw-cab taxi rank currently lcated utside 56 Wakefield Street with a three-cab taxi rank t be lcated utside 46 Wakefield Street. Benefits Regular 15-minute service fr cmmuters and students cming int the city daily. Peak service buses every 3-4 minutes. Detailed plans were als prvided t shw where the prpsed bus stp, bus shelter and bus layver changes, car park remvals, tree pruning r remvals, and ther changes wuld be required. At a later date, AT intends t upgrade the Wellesley Street East t Mayral Drive intersectin t enable buses t make a right-hand turn here as part f the prpsed permanent rute fr the NX2 service.

8 8 Interim rute The new NX2 and existing Dminin Rad and AUT shuttle bus services will need t cmmence peratins alng the interim rute shwn in the map. Fr this cnsultatin, it is the city-centre prject area that is in scpe fr prpsed changes. City-bund: Exits Nrthern Mtrway at Fanshawe Street Right int Halsey Street Left int Wellesley Street West Right int Queen Street Left int Wakefield Street Left int Symnds Street Terminates at 25 Symnds Street. Nrth Shre-bund: Starts n Wellesley Street East between Symnds Street and Princes Street Straight int Wellesley Street West Right int Halsey Street Left int Fanshawe Street Ont Nrthern Mtrway. Permanent rute We will implement a permanent rute fr the NX2 and wider New Netwrk bus services at a later date. The permanent rute will use Mayral Drive instead f Queen Street between Wellesley Street East and Wakefield Street. Further wrks are required t enable buses t turn right int Mayral Drive frm Wellesley Street East. These wrks culd nt be implemented befre the 30 September deadline.

9 9 The map abve was attached t the public cnsultatin and shwed the interim inbund and utbund NX2 bus rute in the city centre, alng with the prpsed parking, lading zne, taxi stand and bus infrastructure changes. Cntext As ur ppulatin cntinues t grw, Auckland Transprt needs t make sme bld changes t the bus netwrk t keep Auckland mving. T achieve this Auckland Transprt has develped and is prgressively rlling ut its New Netwrk (NN) fr a mre cnnected and frequent bus service acrss the regin. Auckland s ld bus netwrk tried t run bus services frm everywhere t everywhere else. This resulted in a cmplicated bus netwrk made up f many, ften infrequent services. The New Netwrk is designed t be simpler, ffering fewer rutes with a higher frequency f buses cming mre ften (particularly between 7am-7pm) 7 days a week, and services will be better cnnected.

10 10 While this may require passengers t transfer between services t cmplete sme jurneys, the NN will ptimise rutes based n passenger usage and help AT t manage finite space alng key public transprt crridrs, particularly thse leading t and frm the city centre. The New Netwrk will help make public transprt a mre attractive ptin fr mre peple. There will be better cnnectins with the Nrthern Busway, where passengers will be able t transfer t frequent services t the city centre via the current NEX r, frm 30 September this year, via the new NX2 linking Albany Statin t the Universities. This cnsultatin sught yur feedback n prpsed changes t city centre parking, a lading zne and taxi stand, bus layvers and infrastructure t enable the NX2 service t perate safely and efficiently frm 30 September 2018.

11 11 Cnsultatin Public cnsultatin n the NX2 prpsal ran frm 5 26 June Activities t raise awareness T reach and engage the public and key stakehlders fr this prpsal we: Did a targeted mail ut t apprximately 3,600 peple (prperty and business wners, ccupiers and managers) and key stakehlders within the area in scpe. Visited and met directly with businesses and stakehlders directly affected by the prpsed Wellesley Street West lading zne remval, and hand-delivered letters with further infrmatin and feedback frms. Created and shared an nline feedback frm, prject webpage, and dedicated address the public culd their respnses t Ran a targeted scial media campaign n Facebk and Twitter prmting this cnsultatin. Giving feedback T infrm the final plans fr this prpsal we sught yur feedback n: Any land develpment prpsals r issues that may affect the planned changes. Any site-specific safety issues that yu think wuld affect the planned changes. Other feedback yu wuld like t prvide abut this prpsal. Feedback culd be prvided via the nline feedback frm, cmpleting a hard cpy feedback frm, r ing the dedicated address NX2Layvers@at.gvt.nz. See Attachment 1 at the end f this reprt fr a cpy f the feedback frm sent with letters t all residents, prperty and business wners and stakehlders in the affected area. Suggestins frm all submissins have been summarised in the design suggestins table shwn in Attachment 2, alng with AT s respnses t the suggestins, questins and issues raised in yur cllective feedback.

12 12 Yur feedback Overview We received public feedback n the prpsal frm 71 submitters. 64 were submitted the nline feedback frm, hard cpy feedback frm, r prject address. Seven submissins were received frm key stakehlders and interest grups. Summaries f these submissins fr the fllwing grups have been included here: Waitematā Lcal Bard Heart f the City The University f Auckland Ecn Ldge City Central Htel Tny s Steakhuse The Regency Apartments Heavy Haulage Assciatin f NZ.

13 13 Brad feedback themes Frm analysis f yur feedback we identified the fllwing brad themes: Bus rute and service Rad layut and and rad users Bus stps, shelter and layvers Feedback themes Envirnment and cmmunity Car parks, lading zne and taxi stand Crssings, pedestrian and cycling amenity We have respnded t all f yur cmments and suggestins, gruped by feedback themes, and included these respnses in Attachment 2.

14 14 Bus rute and service Bus rute and service feedback themes Suggestin t change bus rute (city centre) Suggestin t change bus rute (Nrth Shre) Increase perating hurs f NX2 buses Cncerns prpsed rute will increase cngestin Retain current East Cast Bays express services Prpsed rute will lengthen jurney times Cncerns interim rute will becme permanent Implement prpsed permanent rute nw Safety cncerns abut duble decker buses in city Number f submitters (n=71) The largest prprtin f respndents (13 peple, r 18%) suggested changes t the NX2 city centre rute, including extending it t the hspital and Newmarket r aviding Wakefield Street by using Wellesley Street r Karangahape Rad t cnnect t Symnds Street. 12 submitters thught the Nrth Shre prtin f the NX2 rute shuld include Massey University Albany campus and/r Hibiscus Cast statin t make the service mre cnvenient t peple wh live, wrk r study nrth-side. Seven peple wanted the hurs f peratin fr the NX2 increased t allw either an earlier start (i.e. 6am) r later services fr university students and emplyees needing t return t the Nrth Shre after 7pm. A further six peple thught the intrductin f this rute wuld increase cngestin in the city centre. "The 881 went t Auckland city hspital and the University f Auckland Graftn campus terminating the stps earlier n Symnds street wuld effect a lt f peple. Please extend the NX2 bus t g ver Graftn bridge and stp utside the hspital It wuld be great if the NX 2 rute culd include a stp at the Massey University. Students need easier access t the university t save time which can be devted t their study time. Having the bus services start at 7am is far t late. 6am wuld be much better if this prpsed change ges ahead, I ll need t start driving and clgging the rads. Tw submitters wanted the current East Cast Bays express services t be retained, and tw peple were cncerned the new rute wuld increase jurney times. One submitter expressed cncern that the interim rute wuld becme permanent; ne ther suggested AT put the permanent rute in place nw. One respndent felt that duble decker buses fr this service psed a safety issue t the public in the city centre.

15 15 Thse that live n the Peninsula and DO NOT want t transfer at Hibiscus Cast t the NX1 and then transfer again t the NX2. This will becme very inefficient fr custmers that already have a lnger bus ride ahead f them. I'm cncern[ed] that these tanks culd be a hazard driving up Wakefield St as this area f Auckland is quite steep I recmmend just use single deck 3 axle r 2 axle buses which I believe is suitable t Auckland's terrain. Bus stps and shelters Bus stp and shelter feedback themes Relcate prpsed bus stp (Wakefield St) 3 General bus stp suggestin fr NX2 rute 2 Mdify NX2 bus shelter t prvide mre prtectin 2 Relcate prpsed bus stp (Symnds St) Number f submitters (n=71) Three respndents suggested relcating the prpsed new NX2 bus stp n Wakefield Street t mitigate visibility issues fr drivers exiting the nearby driveways, particularly utside Wakefield Street. Tw peple made mre general suggestins abut where they wuld like the NX2 bus stps t be lcated. Tw further submitters requested the prpsed NX2 bus shelter be mdified t ensure expected large vlumes f passengers waiting t bard will have sufficient prtectin frm the wind and rain. One persn wanted the NX2 terminating stp relcated frm Symnds Street t the crner f Wakefield and Munt Streets. "Prpsed bus stp utside Wakefield Street bth the driver and ther rad users visibility f the garage exit will be significantly impeded creating a significant safety issue. [We are] cncerned that the shelter prpsed fr the NX2 stp n Wellesley Street is inadequate (t small), and the uncvered rute frm Symnds Street dwn t the shelter nt affrding reasnable shelter in adverse cnditins.

16 16 Bus layvers Bus layver feedback themes Relcate bus layvers (Wakefield St) 2 Wakefield St layver visibility/safety cncern 2 Relcate prpsed layver (Wellesley St W) Number f submitters (n=71) Tw respndents requested that the prpsed bus layver n Wellesley Street West be relcated given its prximity t shp frntages and ther sites they deemed mre suitable fr bus layvers. Tw peple expressed visibility cncerns that the prpsed relcatin f the existing Wakefield Street bus layver might cause. Tw further submitters suggested alternative lcatins fr the prpsed Wakefield Street layver relcatin. Given the prximity t small retailers and high pedestrian vlumes it wuld be ur preference t see necessary bus layvers in lcatins where there are inactive street frntages... On this basis we DO NOT supprt the prpsed layver f buses within 3 metres f The Wakefield apartment We supprt bus layvers alng the eastern side f Mayral Drive as they abut AUT which is essentially a cmmercial building.

17 17 Car parking, lading zne and taxi stand Parking, lading zne and taxi stand feedback themes Cncerns abut lss f n-street car parking Prvide alternative lading zne ptin Cncerns abut/ppsitin t lss f lading zne Lading zne remval may frce illegal parking Remve further car park spaces 2 2 Enfrce lading zne parking t supprt delivery service Supprt prpsed taxi stand change Number f submitters (n=71) Five respndents expressed cncerns abut the prpsed remval f the lading zne fr a bus layver space. Five submitters said AT shuld prvide a new, alternative lading zne nearby shuld the prpsed remval g ahead. Five mre peple thught the lss f n-street parking t enable the changes was unfair t lcal residents and prperty wners and may als have a negative impact n lcal businesses if custmer access t n-street parking is reduced. Tw submitters felt the lading zne remval wuld frce peple t park illegally t pick up and drp ff gds. "The remval f lading znes will be detrimental t bth the businesses and residential buildings in the clse vicinity. This is a busy part f the city and there are very few lading znes in the immediate area as it currently stands t remve this withut putting a replacement lading zne smewhere clse is unfair. Their remval will leave delivery drivers with few ther chices when delivering t the area. Inevitably ften they [will be] frced t duble park, park n the ftpath, r park in the prpsed bus stps. Tw respndents suggested ther n-street parking t be remved in the city centre t enable public transprt imprvements. One persn requested mre enfrcement f lading znes t prtect and priritise them fr service delivery use at all times. One submitter explicitly supprted the prpsed taxi stand relcatin and enlargement n Wakefield Street.

18 18 " Parking is being remved which we supprt, but Princes Street needs als t be included as part f the verall initiative t reduce the number f cars cming int the city centre after all that is what the new duble decker buses are designed t d. start plicing the few lading znes that are arund the city Keep Auckland mving and start lking after the hard-wrking team that are delivering gds which helps t keep cars ff the rad. Crssings, pedestrian and cycling amenity Crssings, pedestrian and cycling amenity feedback themes Wakefield/Symnds St crssing safety cncerns Retain current Wakefield/ Symnds St crssing Mayral Dr traffic island remval unsafe fr pedestrians Increased bus traffic a hazard t pedestrians Cncerns abut cycling amenity/safety Widen Symnds St ftpaths fr increased ft traffic Widen Graftn Rd ftpaths fr increased ft traffic Imprve/add lighting fr pedestrian safety Number f submitters (n=71) A large prprtin f respndents (13 peple, r 18%) expressed cncerns abut the prpsed pedestrian crssing relcatin and design at the Wakefield/Symnds Street intersectin; mst were ppsed t the prpsed barriers guiding pedestrians t the crssing, saying they psed a safety risk t all rad users at this very busy lcatin. Five peple suggested leaving the crssing in its current lcatin t avid the issues presented by the prpsed relcatin and design. Tw respndents had cncerns abut the prpsed remval f the traffic island n Mayral Drive, as it is ften used as a refuge fr pedestrians trying t crss the rad at this lcatin. "Using railings t "guide" pedestrians t an inferir crssing is a majr safety issue in that peds will still use the desire lines, but will d s in a less safe manner The great thing abut the current set up is the straight rute fr pedestrians when crssing Wakefield It is cmmn knwledge that pedestrians will take the quickest rute with r withut bundaries. The remval f the traffic island n Mayral Drive will put infrmal crssers at risk as there is nwhere t stand waiting fr gaps in traffic.

19 19 There was ne submitter fr each f the fllwing suggestins relating t pedestrian and cycling amenity: Cncerns abut pedestrian safety due t increased bus activity. Cncerns abut cyclists being put at risk by bus mvements, particularly alng Symnds Street. Requests t widen ftpaths t cater t mre public transprt user ft traffic alng (a) Symnds Street (b) Graftn Rad. Calls t imprve r add mre lighting alng the rute t make walking safer. "There are many students arund this area and crssing rads. Mre buses culd becme a hazard. The fences will make cycling dwn even mre terrifying, as yu wnder if yu yu're ging t be crushed as a bus ges past at 60kph. Envirnment and cmmunity Envirnment and cmmunity feedback themes Relcate/retain trees in scpe fr remval 3 Cncerns re: increased pllutin fr residents/business 3 Prpsed changes may negatively impact lcal business Number f submitters (n=71) Three submitters wanted assurance that any trees prpsed fr remval wuld be relcated, if nt retained. A further three peple expressed cncerns that the new, frequent NX2 bus service wuld increase pllutin fr city centre residents and businesses alng the rute. Tw respndents thught the prpsed changes wuld, cumulatively, have a negative impact n lcal businesses in terms f their ability t attract and appeal t custmers. "There needs t be assurance that the remved trees n Wellesley street will be relcated smewhere nearby... This area is highly walked and many residents live nearby s any particulate and ther pllutants need t be managed.

20 20 This just seems t be anther blw t ur ability t stay prfitable in an increasingly harsh envirnment. Rad and rad users Rad and rad user feedback themes Make Munt St t Symnds St intersectin exit nly Retain current rad width at Wakefield/Symnds St intersectin Safety cncern (Wellesley St/Mayral Drive right-turn) Traffic light phasing t supprt prpsed bus rute Number f submitters (n=71) There was ne submitter fr each f the fllwing suggestins relating t the rad space and rad users alng the NX2 rute: A desire t retain the current rad width at the Wakefield/Symnds Street intersectin and nt cut-back the kerb t widen this area fr left-turning buses. Suggestin t make Munt Street t Symnds Street exit nly, t mitigate ptential cnflicts between increased bus traffic and cars wanting t turn int Munt Street. Safety cncern abut the prpsed right-hand turn frm Wellesley Street int Mayral Drive fr the NX2 permanent inbund rute, which AT plans t implement at a later date. Suggestin t adjust traffic light phasing s buses travelling up Wakefield Street dn t hld up ther traffic between the Queen Street / Mayral Drive sectin f Wakefield. "The prpsal will add additinal buses t Symnds Street, increasing bus/car cnflict fr vehicles entering Munt St. We again suggest making the intersectin exit nly as this wuld stp cars pulling int the street acrss the bus lane... Because f the increased bus traffic travelling Suth up Wakefield Street, the traffic light phasing will need t be investigated t allw fr sufficient mvement f traffic alng Wakefield Street between Queen Street and Mayral Drive.

21 21 Attachment 1: Summary f written feedback submissins We received submissins n this prpsal frm seven key stakehlder grups via the public feedback survey and written submissins. Belw is a summary f their feedback. Waitematā Lcal Bard Supprts the prpsal verall but des nt agree with the prpsed crssing relcatin and barriers at the Wakefield/Symnds Street intersectin; wuld prefer pedestrians t have free, unimpeded mvement. Heart f the City Des nt supprt the prpsed remval f the Wellesley Street West lading zne t make way fr a bus layver. Believes AT must prvide an alternative lading zne fr lcal businesses t use if it plans t remve this lading zne t make way fr a bus layver. Says the business cmmunity is seriusly affected by the remval f lading znes t accmmdate nging/planned AT and/r CRL wrks in the city centre. HOTC wuld like AT t develp a lading and delivery services strategy fr the city centre t assure sufficient LZ ptins t supprt and grw the business cmmunity; currently liaising with the parking team n this matter. The University f Auckland (UA) UA generally supprts the prpsed NX2 bus rute, and has n majr wrks planned in the next few years n land it wns alng this rute. Cncerns the prpsed shelter fr the NX2 stp n Wellesley Street East will prvide inadequate rain cver fr the number f students likely t use this service. Suggest enlarging the shelter, extending the Symnds Street verbridge canpies dwn Wellesley Street East, r relcating the NX2 bus stp t the tp f the street in place f the prpsed bus layver t mitigate the abve cncern. Als suggest extending canpies up Symnds Street t the NX2 terminatin stp, t prvide welcme cver fr passengers. Believes additinal buses n Symnds Street will increase safety issues with the Symnds St/Munt St intersectin, such as bus/car cnflicts fr vehicles entering Munt St and pedestrian and cycle safety; suggest making this intersectin exit nly. Mving the main Nrth Shre bus stps t the suthern end f the UA City Campus will increase pedestrian traffic up Symnds Street and Graftn Rad ftpaths. Request widening f bth Symnds Street and Graftn Rad ftpaths t accmmdate this additinal ft traffic, the latter by remving car parking; t narrw, frcing pedestrians t walk n the rad and between parked cars. Lighting levels alng Wellesley Street shuld be investigated; install street lights t imprve safety if needed. Increase timing f the signalised crssings at the Symnds/Wellesley St intersectin t accmmdate an expected increase in pedestrians.

22 22 Ecn Ldge City Central Htel Cncerns the prpsed remval f the lading zne directly utside ECL will have a negative impact n their business, particularly their elderly and infirm client base wh rely n the lading zne fr safe and cnvenient drp-ff/pick-up; request AT recnsider replacing this space fr a bus layver. T supprt this request, ECL wuld like AT Metr t be aware the lading zne has P5 status and can currently be used by private vehicles, as well as service delivery vehicles and taxis, at all times. Suggested three alternative lcatins fr AT Metr t cnsider fr the prpsed bus layver including (a) the area between Hbsn and Albert Streets (b) the area the existing bus layver area n Victria Street (c) the area directly behind the Skybus stp n Wellesley Street West. Tny s Steakhuse Disappinted at the prpsed remval f the lading zne n Wellesley Street West; believe it will negatively impact their business as it has been vital t service deliveries and the drp-ff and pick-up f elderly patrns fr decades. Believe that remval f the lading zne t supprt the NX2 layver will affect their ability t remain prfitable, n tp f being recently surrunded with hardings during City Rail Link wrks and lsing carparks t accmmdate the private Skybus service. The Regency Apartments The Regency d nt supprt the prpsed bus layvers within three metres f The Wakefield residential apartments n Wakefield Street. Requests that bus layvers prpsed fr the western side f Mayral Drive be relcated; believes they pse a health and safety risk t residents in the Wakefield, Regency, and Auckland Library (under cnstructin) residential buildings. Des supprt bus layvers alng the eastern side f Mayral Drive as they abut AUT, which is a cmmercial building. Supprts the remval f car parking n city centre rads and streets t give public transprt mre pririty. Wuld like AT t review n-street car parking alng Princes Street; pssibly remve all car access and supprting rad mdificatins t create a pedestrian, cycling and public transprt friendly space with ample bus layver spaces. Heavy Haulage Assciatin f NZ Supprts the fact that few changes are prpsed fr Symnds Street, and that n changes will impact its status as a main versize rute t/frm the Prt f Auckland. Hwever, they wuld like t be ntified in advance if any ther changes t Symnds Street are suggested beynd thse that were prpsed.

23 23 Attachment 1: Feedback frm

24 24 Attachment 2: Design suggestins and AT respnses Belw is a summary f all design suggestins received frm the public and all stakehlders alng with ur respnses t yur feedback. Design suggestin in feedback AT respnse Bus rute, service and timetable suggestins Bus rute (Nrth Shre) Cnsider including Massey University Albany campus alng the NX2 s Albany rute; make this service a link fr all three majr universities. Cnsider including Hibiscus Cast statin n the NX2 rute t make jurney mre cnvenient t wider base f Nrth Shre based PT users; at least during peaks times - may increase verall jurney times fr Whangaparaa Peninsula based patrns as they will have t make ne r mre transfer/s t access the NX2 service frm Albany. Bus rute (city centre) Extend NX2 service t include Newmarket and hspital; cater t Graftn-based UA students, hspital staff/patients/visitrs, and wrkers wh rely n the current 881 service t get t Graftn/Newmarket. Re-rute service t avid narrw and steep Wakefield Street; redirect t Symnds Street via Karangahape Rad. AT cnsulted n the New Netwrk fr Nrth Shre rutes in 2015, released final decisins in 2016, and cmmenced implementatin f these rutes frm mid Due t rute distance, legibility, simplicity cnstraints, demand cnsideratins and a range f ther factrs, it was decided that Massey University Albany campus and Hibiscus Cast statin wuld nt feature as stps r start pints fr the NX2. Hwever ther services will link bth lcatins t Albany Statin, enabling travellers t transfer t the NX2 express service t the city centre via the Nrthern Express Busway. While transfers may nt be desirable t sme peple, they are essential t bth frequency and simplicity and enable access t a much wider set f destinatins. Due t rute distance, legibility, simplicity cnstraints and t achieve ptimal demand fr the NX2 service, we pted t terminate the NX2 service near AUT, UA and a hst f ther smaller tertiary educatin prviders lcated in the city centre s learning quarter. The prpsed interim and permanent rutes als present the simplest and mst legible ptins fr inbund and utbund NX2 buses.

25 25 Design suggestin in feedback AT respnse Use Wellesley Street West east and westbund instead; avid Mayral Drive. Divert t Victria Street business park area i.e. include/cater t Dept Wrks-based wrkers. Bus rute (city centre) Cncerns the NX2 service will add t Symnds Street bus and general traffic cngestin, especially during peak hurs. - may als cngest Queen Street mre if traffic light phasing nt addressed t supprt NX2 bus left turn int Wakefield Street. Bus rute (interim vs permanent) Questins abut hw lng the interim rute will be in place; sme cncern that it may becme the permanent rute fr the NX2. Request AT t nt g ahead with the interim rute and mve straight t implementing the intended permanent rute; t save time and taxpayer mney. Bus perating hurs Start service earlier than 7.00am i.e. 6.00am r 6.30am, particularly t supprt Nrth Shrebased wrkers needing t start wrk early in the city; save need fr bus travellers t make - Align with the current 881 timetable which has much earlier starts. Run the service later than 7.00pm, particularly frm the city centre t Albany - Align with university semester timetables which ften extend beynd 7.00pm. Bus services The established bus lanes alng Symnds Street lend themselves perfectly t the new NX2 service and require minimal wrks t enable the desired rute t be delivered by the September deadline. Our ATOC team will mnitr traffic signal timings alng the rute and adjust them where needed, t manage any inefficiencies r cngestin that may be identified. We anticipate the interim (inbund city centre) prtin f the NX2 rute t be in place until the end f Octber this year. We will update the public clser t the time. The remainder f the rute will be permanent frm September this year. There is n additinal cst t AT t make this interim update. We are currently awaiting the resurces required t implement the permanent inbund rute. New Netwrk timetables are based n ptimum peak travel time demand, and ffer a higher frequency f buses between 7.00am 7.00pm each day. AT Metr will cntinue t evaluate demand nce the NX2 service has been intrduced. They will cnsider adding earlier and/r later buses t the timetable shuld there be a clear demand fr this. Our New Netwrk fr Nrth Shre required bld changes t better ratinalise the number f services we ffer and the frequencies at which they

26 26 Design suggestin in feedback Request t retain express buses frm East Cast Bays t Mayral Drive; believe these are mre cnvenient fr mre peple than the prpsed NX2 timetable. Safety cncern abut the use f duble decker buses in the city centre fr the NX2 service; t big/cumbersme fr narrw inner city rute and perceived vlume f passengers. AT respnse perate. Services als need t align with passenger demand while balancing the use f public rad space and the careful develpment f key public transprt crridrs. We understand nt everyne will agree with these changes r find them as cnvenient as sme f the ld r current services t meet their persnal needs. We als need t strike a balance between the size and number f buses used t deliver these services and meet anticipated demand. The majrity f the rute fr the NX2 are main arterials that are capable f handling duble decker buses. We als checked vehicle tracking fr the city centre sectins f the rute t ensure duble decker buses can perate alng them safely. Kerb builduts and tree pruning will als take place t ensure the buses will clear canpies and branches. Bus stps and shelters Bus stps Relcate bus stp prpsed utside 18 Wakefield Street (apprx. lcatin) - Mve further dwn this street, passed the intersectin with Mayral Drive/suth f St Paul St; t avid steep gradient and safety risk f busy street fr passengers t crss, and risk f buses platning / blcking driveway at Wakefield Street. - Mve t/replace with prpsed NX2 terminatin stp, fr the same reasns abve. Bus stps (cntinued) Relcate prpsed NX2 service terminatin bus stp n Symnds Street t the crner f Wakefield/Munt Streets; cnvenient fr mre peple heading further dwn Symnds Street. Avid stpping this service at Britmart. As a result f the feedback we plan t leave the existing Wakefield Street layver in its current psitin and mve the new bus stp where we had prpsed t where the kerbside parking spaces currently are. We believe this will reslve the issues yu have utlined. We will nt lk t relcate the NX2 terminatin stp as this is perfectly psitined t service the Universities a key destinatin fr this rute. We can cnfirm the NX2 service will nt stp at Britmart. This service frms part f the new Nrthern Netwrk (NN), linking Albany t the city centre Universities. It will replace the 881 service, which currently des nt stp at Fanshawe Street. The service intends t prvide an express rute t

27 27 Design suggestin in feedback Stp this service at all stps alng Fanshawe Street as well; t spread the distributin f passengers wh will use this and the NEX service. Bus shelter Ensure shelter at NX2 service starting stp is large enugh t accmmdate expected passenger numbers, and prvides ample prtectin frm the rain; cnsider prviding rain cver between the Symnds Street terminatin stp thrugh t the new NX2 shelter. Bus layvers Bus layvers Relcate r mit the prpsed Wellesley Street West layver cnsider less active street frntages away frm small retailers and high pedestrian vlumes, r Halsey St instead. Relcate r mit the prpsed Wakefield Street layvers (between Queen St/Mayral Drive intersectin) t east side f Mayral Drive t abut AUT (cmmercial building) r further dwn the same street after Mayral Drive intersectin); t clse t apartment dwellers and bscures visibility f thse exiting the driveway which pses a safety risk. AT respnse and frm the Nrth Shre t the city centre with minimal stps. T meet the deadline fr these wrks we are unable t prgress the new NX2 bus shelter build fr the Wellesley Street East starting stp. Due t the heritage status f the building it sits utside, the shelter is subject t heritage design standards and will need t be implemented as part f future wrks. Because this is a starting stp, passengers will be able t bard the bus as sn as they arrive. As a result f the cnsultatin and discussins with lcal businesses, we will nt remve the lading zne t make way fr the prpsed bus layver at this lcatin. Hwever we will g ahead with all ther prpsed layver spaces alng this rute. Mayral Drive cannt be cnsidered as an alternative lcatin fr the prpsed Wakefield Street layvers due t insufficient rad space and the number f services already using Mayral Drive. Remaining spaces n Mayral Drive are required fr AUT bus layvers. T mitigate visibility cncerns expressed in the feedback, we plan t leave the existing Wakefield Street layver in its current psitin and mve the new bus stp where we had prpsed t relcate the layver. Car parking, lading zne and taxi stand suggestins

28 28 On-street car parking Design suggestin in feedback Cncerns that the lss f n-street parking particularly alng Wakefield Street and Mayral Drive will cause undue hardship t residents and their guests and t lcal businesses. Remve car parking frm Graftn Rad as well - t enable ftpath widening t accmmdate mre bus/passenger ft traffic cming frm Symnds Street Cnsider remving all n-street parking alng in Princes Street t create a peple-centred space and PT hub, with layver spaces t supprt NX2 and ther services. AT respnse Given the increasing demand fr transprt in Auckland and limited rad capacity in the city centre, it is imprtant that we make effective use f the available rad space. We d understand that this has an impact n peple wh live, wrk r run a business in this area, but it is imprtant that we give pririty t imprving the reliability and efficiency f key bus rutes t ensure public transprt users get t where they need t, n time. While we d nt intend t remve any parking beynd that prpsed fr this prject, ur Traffic Engineering team will lk int yur suggestin fr Graftn Rad remvals t supprt future wrks. The creatin f a public transprt hub in Princes Street is als utside the scpe f this prject, hwever we will refer this suggestin ur Traffic Engineering team t cnsider. Lading zne/s Significant cncerns abut and ppsitin t prpsed lading zne remval n Wellesley Street West; particularly frm directed affected businesses (between Albert/Ellitt Street) and service delivery cmpanies. - Cnsider unintended impacts f LZ remvals such as illegal parking t service deliveries. Requests t prvide an alternative lading zne lcatin if the prpsed remval ges ahead, particularly in the city centre; less LZs make servicing business/deliveries t difficult. - Enfrce existing LZ s in the area t prtect them fr service delivery use nly. As mentined earlier, AT n lnger plans t remve the lading zne t make way fr the prpsed bus layver at this lcatin. Service delivery cmpanies, curiers, and thse making quick (P5) drp-ffs and pick-ups t/frm lcal businesses will be able t cntinue t use this space legally, fr this purpse. Taxi stand/s Supprt the prpsed taxi stand relcatin; this pses n issue t taxi cmpanies/the public. Thank yu fr yur feedback. The taxi stand change will be made as prpsed. Crssings, pedestrian and cycling amenity

29 29 Crssings Design suggestin in feedback Cncerns abut the safety and design standards f the prpsed pedestrian crssing at the Wakefield/Symnds Street intersectin - Cncerns mstly with the fencing t guide pedestrians tward the relcated crssing; barriers t free peple mvement a safety risk t pedestrians and ther rad users. Preference t retain the current crssing; fllws desire lines mre clsely and seen as safer than the prpsed ptin. Increase timings n crssing signal phasing at Wellesley/Symnds Street t allw fr an expected increase in pedestrian numbers. AT respnse We will retain the existing pedestrian crssing and nt prceed with the prpsed relcatin and design changes. T further prmte safety fr all users f this rad space, we als plan t: - Mve the duble layver at the suthern-mst end f Wakefield Street t the western side f the street t imprve visibility leading int the existing pedestrian crssing and help buses track safely t make the left-hand turn int Symnds Street - Intrduce rad markings (chevrns) t help buses track safely int the left-hand turn frm Wakefield Street int Symnds Street instead f the prpsed kerb cut-back at this intersectin. We will ensure AT s Strategy team has reviewed all prpsed designs prir t the pubic cnsultatin phase fr all future prjects. Our ATOC team will als mnitr the Wellesley/ Symnds Street crssing and adjust the signal phasing if necessary, as suggested. Ftpaths Widen the Symnds Street ftpaths t accmmdate an anticipated increase in ft traffic/nx2 bus service passengers. Widen the Graftn Rad ftpaths t accmmdate Symnds Street ft traffic heading t/frm the prpsed NX2 stp/s; currently t narrw fr the number f pedestrians using them, frcing peple t walk n the rad and between parked cars. Pedestrian safety Althugh these suggestins are utside the scpe f ur prpsal, we have passed them n t ur Walking and Cycling team t investigate. If necessary, they will lk at feasible slutins t implement as part f future wrks t supprt pedestrian safety alng these key rutes. This is a particularly busy sectin f the city centre where thusands f peple using a range f public, private and active transprt mdes pass thrugh in high vlumes each day, especially during peak

30 30 Design suggestin in feedback Sme cncern an increase in buses alng this rute (particularly Symnds Street) culd pse a safety risk t rising numbers f pedestrians passing thrugh the area. Sme cncern the prpsed traffic island remval n Mayral Drive may als pse a safety issue fr pedestrians, leaving n refuge frm traffic fr thse trying t crss at this lcatin. AT respnse travel times. Fr yur persnal safety, we d advise crssing nly at signalised r marked pedestrian crssings alng this busy rute, at all times. Our street lighting team will investigate and implement any lighting imprvements that can be made in this area, as requested. Imprve r add mre street lighting alng Wellesley Street t make this area safer. Cycling amenity/safety Cncern the fencing/barrier n the prpsed Wakefield/Symnds Street crssing relcatin will make cycling alng here mre hazardus, especially when riding next t buses. As explained abve, we will nt prceed with the prpsed crssing relcatin and design changes. Rad and rad user suggestins Rad width Retain rad width at the Wakefield/Symnds Street intersectin; ppse widening f rad here t enable turning buses as it prmtes higher speeds f bth buses and cars. Exit nly Suggestin t make Munt Street t Symnds Street exit-nly t prevent cnflicts between cars turning frm Symnds Street int Munt Street and buses. Traffic light phasing The prpsed kerb cut-back t give buses sufficient rm t make the left turn frm Wakefield Street int Symnds Street will nt g ahead as a result f the feedback received. T maintain pedestrian safety and visibility at the existing crssing site, we have decided t mve the duble layver t the western side f Wakefield Street (near the Symnds Street intersectin). We will als intrduce rad markings (chevrns) t help buses track safely t make the left-hand turn int Symnds Street withut munting the existing kerb. Thank yu fr raising this with us. We will pass n yur suggestin t ur Traffic Engineering team t investigate. They will mnitr the site nce the NX2 service cmmences, assess any cnflicts r risks and lk int yur suggested (r ther) slutins if required. Thank yu fr yur suggestin. We will pass this n

31 31 Design suggestin in feedback AT respnse Investigate light phasing t allw fr sufficient mvement f traffic alng Wakefield Street between Queen Street and Mayral Drive; t prevent cngestin n Queen Street that buses awaiting left turn int Wakefield Street might cause. t ur ATOC team t evaluate nce NX2 starts, and they will adjust the phasing if needed. Re-ruting Prefer the NX2 bus rute uses Wellesley Street inbund/utbund; less circuitus than using Wakefield Street (interim rute), saves need/investment required t mdify Mayral Street/Wellesley Street t enable right-hand turn (lng term rute). It is essential fr us t utilise Wakefield/ Symnds/Wellesley Streets t supprt the required rute fr the NX2 service. Using Wellesley Street nly fr bth the inbund and utbund rute wuld require buses t make an impractical U-turn t make the return jurney t Albany. Envirnment and cmmunity Trees Retain trees prpsed fr remval Relcate trees prpsed fr remval t uphld green space in the city centre. Air / nise pllutin Cncerns increased bus traffic and idling at layver will increase nise and air pllutin; may pse a health risk t residents and businesses alng the rute. Business cmmunity impact Cncerns bus nise and air pllutin may have a negative impact n lcal businesses patrnage and attractiveness t custmers. The arbrist advised we n lnger need t remve any trees as part f these wrks. Three trees earmarked fr remval utside AUT Marae (69 Wellesley Rad) will nw be pruned instead t allw sufficient clear space fr the NX2 duble decker buses t pass safely alng this rute. The trees will be maintained t ensure the minimum clear space is bserved at all times. AT has an existing plicy where the idling f buses in layver spaces is nt allwed. We will ensure this is clearly sign-psted in these areas and clearly cmmunicated t the bus peratrs befre the new service cmmences. Idling is nt allwed in any f ur layvers, in any lcatin. As mentined abve, we plan t clearly sign-pst and cmmunicate AT s plicy n the use f layver spaces t all bus peratrs. This will address cncerns abut buses causing any nise r air pllutin that may impact lcal businesses. Issues

32 32 Design suggestin in feedback There is extreme pressure fr lading and servicing fr businesses and the nging remval f lading znes will exacerbate this prblem. The city rail link prject has als put significant pressure n lading and servicing and future wrks in the Wellesley Street and Victria Street wrks will further this. We have been liaising [with AT] abut the need fr an verarching lading and servicing strategy fr the city centre we can t cntinue t lk at the areas f the city centre in islatin in terms f their prvisin fr lading and servicing ur grwing business cmmunity. We think AT shuld have a very clear plicy that bus layvers are never lcated utside f residential buildings as these frequently d nt have inbuilt air cnditining systems in the same way that cmmercial premises d. This means that idling buses cnstitute a Health & Safety risk because f the need t have pen windws in residential building fr ventilatin purpses. There are als 3 resident carparks n Wakefield St and Mayral Drive, alngside where the buses will be parked. This pses a serius risk t residents attempting t enter and exit the apartment carparks with buses blcking their view, r abut t mve ff frm the bus stp. Custmers travelling frm the Whangaparaa Peninsula r elsewhere nrth t Wellesley St r Universities will nw be required t make tw bus transfers t get t their desired lcatin. As the NX2 des nt travel between Hibiscus Cast and Universities, there is a requirement fr all persns AT respnse Fllwing discussins with and feedback frm a range f parties directly affected by the prpsed lading zne remval n Wellesley Street West, we decided nt t g ahead with this change. Wherever pssible, AT seeks t balance the urgent need t imprve bus pririty and netwrk cnnectins with the needs f lcal cmmunities and businesses particularly in the city centre where space is limited. In this instance, we determined that the remaining prpsed layvers shuld be an ample minimum t supprt the NX2 and ther AT Metr bus services that will fllw this rute. We will mnitr the use f these layvers nce the NX2 is intrduced. Our Parking and Strategy teams will cntinue t liaise with yu and ther relevant stakehlders t develp a pssible lading zne strategy fr the inner city, t supprt service deliveries and lcal business. AT des have a plicy stipulating that buses are nt t idle while parked in AT layver spaces, n matter their lcatin. Again, we plan t cmmunicate this t ur bus peratrs befre the NX2 service cmmences and include ntices n bus layver signage alng the rute. AT Metr will remind all bus peratrs mre bradly abut the plicy, t ensure they adhere t it when using any bus layver acrss ur netwrk. The three n-street public carparks referenced were prpsed fr remval, and are cnfirmed t be remved t make way fr the prpsed bus layvers and bus stp. The current rllut f ur New Netwrk required sme bld changes and trade-ffs t better ratinalise the number f services we ffer and the