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News


May 2006

17 May 2006 ARTA's CEO takes up new position
The Chair of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) Brian Roche, today announced with regret the resignation of ARTA's Chief Executive Alan Thompson. Mr Thompson has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive and Secretary for Transport, Ministry of Transport, in Wellington.
03 May 2006 Auckland rail network upgrade moves forward out West
Buses will replace trains on Saturdays in May between Henderson and Waitakere as construction work to build a second train track continues.

April 2006

19 April 2006 Historic Passenger Transport Network Programme Takes Auckland Region to 2046
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today launched a ground breaking programme for the Auckland region, which will give the region a linked Passenger Transport Network aimed at doubling the number of public transport journeys from the current 50.7 million boardings to over one hundred million in 2016.
11 April 2006 Half million train passenger journeys hit for first time in Auckland's history
The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today welcomed news that for the first time in the Auckland region's history, 545,000 passenger journeys were made in March on the region's rail network. ARTA Chief Executive, Alan Thompson, said, "This is a 39.4% increase on the same month last year and is nearly 100,000 more than the previous monthly high achieved in August 2005. "

March 2006

29 March 2006 Auckland rail network upgrade continues out West
Buses will replace trains on Saturdays in April between Henderson and Waitakere and over Easter between New Lynn and Waitakere as construction work to build a second train track starts intensifying next month.

February 2006

21 February 2006 Come on Auckland - bike it, you'll like it!
Aucklanders are invited to join in Bike Wise week celebrations from 25 February - 5 March. With lots of fun events around the region to get people out on two wheels, everyone will find something to suit. Free bike checks, free breakfast, unicycle lessons and the opportunity to win great prizes are just some of what's on offer over the week.
20 February 2006 First cluster travel plan for Auckland Region
The Auckland region's first school travel plan covering multiple schools is being launched in Waitakere City this Wednesday (22 February).
14 February 2006 Record levels on increased patronage on public transport
Figures just released by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) show Aucklanders are increasingly taking to public transport with record levels of patronage on ferries, trains and buses for the year ended 31 December 2005.
03 February 2006 Train fares to increase
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today announced the rail network's first fare increase in over five years. An average 10 per cent increase in train fares (excluding day and monthly passes which stay the same) will commence on Monday 13 February 2006.
03 February 2006 Motorists urged to slow down as children return to school
A repeat of last year's successful region-wide campaign to encourage motorists to slow down around children starts again next week in time for the new police enforcement regime where drivers who exceed the speed limit by more than 5kph around schools will be issued with infringement notices.

December 2005

23 December 2005 First rail track work for stage 2 Western Line double tracking kicks off
- 7.3 km of track to be added between New Lynn and Henderson
19 December 2005 Good News for Auckland's Rail System
The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today welcomed news of a multi-million dollar rail package announced today by Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Transport Minister David Parker to significantly upgrade Auckland's rail network.
16 December 2005 North Shore City residents take a shine to new Park and Rides
More than 1000 passengers each day are using the Northern Express bus service, which operates to and from North Shore City's new Park and Ride bus stations and downtown Auckland.
13 December 2005 ARTA acknowledged for quality approach to train fleet
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) has won the Mechanical and Manufacturing Award 2005 at the inaugural NZ Engineering Excellence Awards. The award acknowledges the quality of the SA train remanufacture and refurbishment from old and unused carriages and recognises ARTA's 'highly successful approach to achieving attractive and efficient solutions at an acceptable cost'.
13 December 2005 Funding changes needed to deliver transport strategy
The strategy guiding Auckland's transport for the next decade was launched today.
13 December 2005 New Deputy Chair appointed to Auckland Regional Transport Authority Board
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today announced a new position of Deputy Chair has been created for the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) Board.
07 December 2005 Walking School Buses contribute to decrease in overweight kids
New Walking School Bus research shows Aucklanders are benefiting from more than just the annual reduction of 720,000 car trips Walking School Buses generate. It shows school kids and adults alike love the daily physical activity of the school walk.
05 December 2005 ARC Group and MAXX holiday office hours
The Auckland Regional Council offices at 21 Pitt Street Auckland will be closed over the Christmas period from: 12 noon Friday 23 December 2005 until 8.00am Wednesday 4 January 2006.
05 December 2005 Waiuku bus service survey results conclusive
- feedback says 'we'd like more buses'

November 2005

16 November 2005 Open Day celebrates NZ's first Park and Ride bus stations
Skydivers, top local bands, and free kids' rides are all part of the mix for the Park and Ride Open Day at the new Albany bus station this Saturday (November 19).
15 November 2005 School travel plans take on 10,000 steps
Murray's Bay Intermediate is the first North Shore City school to integrate the official 10,000 steps @ school programme with their own school travel plan.
03 November 2005 New Zealand's first Park and Ride Bus Stations open
North Shore City Mayor George Wood is eagerly anticipating buses rolling through New Zealand's first Park and Ride bus stations this Sunday.

October 2005

26 October 2005 Bus Fares to Increase
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today approved a 10 per cent, on average, increase to its Maximum Fare Schedule for bus services. This follows an annual review of changes in operating costs for Auckland's bus operators.
18 October 2005 Strategy pushes public transport
The strategy adopted for Auckland's transport system over the next ten years represents a significant shift towards more investment in public transport.
18 October 2005 Northern Express service builds on Auckland's Rapid Transit Network
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today announced a new, high frequency, seven day a week, express bus service which will, for the first time, offer a direct connection between the North Shore and Britomart in Downtown Auckland.
11 October 2005 Major increase in Auckland's passenger rail services
A new rail timetable with a 25 per cent overall increase in train services, extended late nights on Friday and Saturday and, for the first time in at least 40 years, regular Sunday services, will be implemented on Tuesday 25 October by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) with their operating partner Connex Auckland.

September 2005

22 September 2005 Progress on duplication of Auckland's Western Line gains momentum with $58 million funding
- Bottleneck between New Lynn and Henderson to go
22 September 2005 Auckland's Universities help tackle city's transport problems
The University of Auckland and AUT (Auckland University of Technology) delivered a proactive response today to their contribution to the city's transport problems. The two universities announced they would partner with the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA), the Auckland City Council and Transit New Zealand to put together a comprehensive Universities' Travel Plan.
21 September 2005 Newmarket railway station improvements consultation update
Consultation in full swing, with positive feedback to date.
21 September 2005 All time record numbers carried on Auckland's rail network this August
427,000 passenger journeys were recorded on Auckland's rail services this August beating the previous high of 421,000 in May 2005 . According to Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) this is continuing the overall growth in rail patronage seen since February when services were increased.
07 September 2005 Newmarket Train Station Improvements - public get their say
Concept designs for improvements to Newmarket Train Station will be put on show for the public to review and provide feedback this week. The Open Days will be held at Parnell Community Centre (Jubilee Building) this Thursday 8 September (2pm - 8pm) and Saturday 10 September (1pm - 4pm).

August 2005

31 August 2005 Rail proposal welcomed
The Auckland Regional Council and Auckland Regional Transport Authority have expressed their support for increased investment in New Zealand's land transport system, announced today by the Prime Minister Helen Clark.
30 August 2005 MAXX helps Auckland move for second year in a row
The Auckland Regional Council and Auckland Regional Transport Authority's (ARTA) MAXX contact centre is the winner of the 'Travel and Transport' industry category in the 2005 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Contact Centre Awards.
16 August 2005 Good progress made on region's transport plans
Progress made in the last year to improve Auckland's transport has been very pleasing, says the Regional Land Transport Committee chairman.
15 August 2005 Vision for future of rail network discussed by ARC
A vision for the future of rail, which includes the option for electrification, has been discussed by the Auckland Regional Council's Transport Policy Committee.
11 August 2005 PM and Mayor to launch Birkenhead Primary School Travel Plan
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Mayor George Wood will help Birkenhead Primary School launch its new Travel Plan on Friday morning.
10 August 2005 Five days left for submissions on transport strategy
Aucklanders only have five more days to have their say on a strategy planning how to spend $10.7 billion on transport.
01 August 2005 Rail vision up for discussion
Auckland Regional Council and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority met today to discuss the future of Auckland's rail network.

July 2005

06 July 2005 New North Shore and Hibiscus Coast bus services take off
North Shore and Hibiscus Coast bus commuters today got a significant boost to the number of bus services that get them around the North Shore and to and from Auckland city.

June 2005

27 June 2005 Carriages to 'Stand in Black' for Lions Tour
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and adidas' Stand in Black promotion hit the rails with the unveiling of Auckland bound rail carriages decked out in images from the campaign.
10 June 2005 ARTA begins design for Stage 2 of Western Line double tracking
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) has selected GHD Limited engineering consultants to carry out the detailed design of Stage 2 of the double tracking of the western rail line, which has an estimated construction cost of about $60m.
08 June 2005 Clear the air with a walking school bus
Walking school buses are promoting their zero emissions status during an Auckland Regional Council campaign to clear Auckland's air pollution.
07 June 2005 New North Shore and HBC bus services from 3 July
From 3 July, the people of the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast will see the beginning of a re-designed and logical bus network that will make it easier to get around their area and travel into Auckland city.

May 2005

27 May 2005 Go to the MAXX!!
MAXX. The new name for public transport in the Auckland region.
20 May 2005 Grand opening of the new Kingsland Rail Station
The newly constructed Kingsland Rail Station which cost $4 million to upgrade, will be officially opened to the public by Prime Minister Helen Clark on Saturday 21 May 2005.
10 May 2005 Stagecoach services resume
With the conclusion of the Stagecoach drivers six-day strike, alternative strike-relief bus service are no longer required.
04 May 2005 Extra public transport services for duration of strike
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and public transport operators continue to work together to offer relief during Stagecoach's six day strike.
04 May 2005 Extra services during 6-day strike
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and bus operators are running extra bus services during the Stagecoach 6-day strike.
04 May 2005 Keep your distance!
A hard-hitting campaign aimed at stopping motorway drivers from hitting each other was launched in Auckland today.

April 2005

30 April 2005 Safer trips to school for Takanini School children
Takanini School is about to become the first South Auckland school to join the Auckland region's School Travel Plan Programme.
14 April 2005 Record Passenger Numbers for Rail
Record passenger numbers on the Auckland rail network during March are a good sign that investment in rail by the region is paying off, according to the Auckland Regional Transport Authority.

March 2005

18 March 2005 Giving more families the choice of a healthy, safe and fun trip to school
The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, today launched the School Travel Programme for the Auckland region at the Auckland Domain - a programme that promises to give more families the choice of a healthy, safe and fun trip to school.
11 March 2005 Waiuku bus survey underway
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is surveying Waiuku residents on their travel patterns and whether there is support for an improved public transport service in their area.
09 March 2005 West Harbour ferry passenger survey underway
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is surveying West Harbour residents and ferry users on their travel patterns and how often they would consider using a ferry service from West Harbour.
02 March 2005 More rail construction likely after funding announced
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is welcoming a $1.87 million grant from Land Transport NZ to fund planning for the second stage of double-tracking of the Western Rail Line.

February 2005

25 February 2005 Another milestone for Northern Busway
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is pleased to announce that contracts for North Shore and Hibiscus Coast bus services, that will serve the Northern Busway, are now being awarded.
08 February 2005 Calls for public to be safe near tracks as train services increase
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is requesting the public be vigilant around level crossings and at stations following the introduction of a new passenger rail timetable.
07 February 2005 Children back at schools: Motorists encouraged to slow down
A region-wide campaign to encourage motorists to slow down around children starts today. Organised by RoadSafe Auckland, the 'Slow Down, Children Around' campaign provides a timely reminder for motorists that children often do the unexpected and dash across the road without warning.

January 2005

24 January 2005 More train services on track after rail work complete
Extra train services will begin running across Auckland's rail network next month, following the completion of a $23.2 million project to double-track the western rail line.
17 January 2005 West Harbour ferry service stays afloat
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority is pleased to announce an interim contract for the provision of a ferry service from Westpark Marina. This follows negotiations with Yellow Water Taxis and Fullers Auckland.
07 January 2005 Pine Harbour ferry contract finalised
Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and Pine Harbour Holdings have entered into a long-term contract to ensure the continuation of weekday ferry services between Pine Harbour and Downtown Auckland.

December 2004

23 December 2004 Train essay applauded by ARTA
On December 20th, 1873, a young schoolboy named Oscar rode with his parents on the very first passenger train journey from Auckland to Onehunga.
14 December 2004 Waiheke children set to walk to school
Moves have been made to boost the number of students cycling and walking to Waiheke schools, after a survey showed over ninety five per cent of students travel to school by car or bus.