Improvements to Auckland Bus Routes #1
This post aims to cover possible improvements to services in the Titirangi area.
So back towards the start of 2024, I started to wonder if buses in the Titirangi area could be improved, especially since 2 out of the 3 routes that run through the area serve beaches or recreational areas among the other aspects for the routes use.
I've done some traffic research (mainly Google maps with some extra real life estimates), and for route 171 it's about a 30 minute journey from New Lynn to Laingholm School (which is approximately the midway point of the loop service).
To add to this, in Patronage Data released upto December 2024, the 171 had a 15.6 bpsh in Janurary 2024, 20.0 bpsh in Feburary 2024 and 16.3 bpsh in March 2024, following that there was a 15.2 bpsh in August 2024, which shows there is a great catchment for patronage along the route and in the area, especially towards the city. (bpsh = boardings per service hour).
As well as looking into possibilities such as a service down to Parau as it's approximately 11 minutes from the Titirangi Village stop to the bus stop used in Parau (there is a bus stops already along the route from School Buses).
I want to propose that:
Current Route 170 which is the New Lynn to Titirangi South could be come a frequent service becoming the new route 17 which would terminate at the Titirangi Village stop. 17 would have an all day frequceny of 15 minutes, with services increasing to 10 minutes at peak and down to around every 25 minutes outside of the 7am-7pm period.
Current Route 171 which is the New Lynn to Laingholm service would be cut back to Titirangi Village. This becomes Titirangi Village to Laingholm. 171 would be every 30 minutes all day and timed to ensure minimum wait times for either 17, 17G or 209 to connect the City.
Current Route 172 which is the current New Lynn to Glen Eden via Titirangi get cut back to Titirangi Village. This becomes Titirangi Village to Glen Eden. 172 becomes 17G due to frequency. 17G would be every 20 minutes all day and timed to meet the Western Line at Glen Eden to ensure smooth transfers.
New Route 173 which would pick up the 'Titirangi South' section of the old 170, becoming Titirangi Village to Titirangi South. 173 would be every 25 minutes all day and timed to meet the 17 or 209.
New Route 174 which would run from Titirangi Village to Parau. Stops for this route are still being looked at but will mainly be at present locations along Huia Road. 174 would be every 30 minutes all day and timed to meet the 17 or 17G.
All services would be able to run into each other, for example a terminating 173 could continue as the next 17, or vise versa, a terminating 17 could continue as a 174, as well as connecting into the 209 timetable, allowing more morning and evening connections to and from the City.
Of course, in the Auckland Transport Regional Public Transport Plan, it is proposed that the 172 route is improved to frequent (17). My proposal to AT was ‘accepted’ so to say, and was passed onto the Network Planning team, so it’s only a matter of time before we see if they take it into full consideration.
These changes could open the doors to relying less on using the car to get to and from rural and suburban areas as they would be able use the bus instead. Local’s in the Parau, Laingholm, Waima and Woodlands Park would be able to more easily, and affordably access services such as Goods and Services provided at Titirangi Village, Glen Eden Station area and the New Lynn Station area among many locations.
At New Lynn customers can easily change to Central & Isthmus bus services to Point Chevalier, Auckland Zoo, MOTAT, Mt Roskill, Mt Albert, Onehunga, Hillsborugh, Waikowhai, Lynfield, Blockhouse Bay, Otahuhu, New North Road, St Lukes, Sandringham Road, Wesley, Stoddard Road, Richardson Road, Gt North Road, Grey Lynn, Ponsonby, UNITEC and the Auckland Universities.
As well as Western buses to Henderson, Lincoln Interchange, Kelston, Glendene, Te Atatu and Green Bay, not to mention the Western Line trains to connect to the wider rail network especially with the City Rail Link opening. At Glen Eden, customers easily transfer to buses to Parrs Park, Glen Eden, Sunnyvale and Henderson, as well as the Western Line trains to Henderson and Swanson.
If you guys like this idea, want to propose alternatives or whatever feel free to below!