The ARTA Years 2004 – 2010 - Auckland Transport

ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS – CASE STUDY
2006: Northern Express service
The Northern Express began service in November 2005. Linking the new Constellation and Albany stations on
the North Shore with the CBD, the Northern Express had a massive 200% growth in patronage in its first five months and a
survey showed that 39% of customers had previously driven into the city. By the end of its first year in service, the express
bus, with its 7,000 daily customers, had taken 5,100 cars off New Zealand’s busiest stretch of road each morning peak
and made a significant contribution to the region’s environmental, economic and social goals:
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Reduced petrol and diesel use by 408,000 litres
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1,000 tonnes of CO 2 , toxic carbon monoxide by 13.6 tonnes and fine
particulates by 140kg
Reduced car travel by 3.9 million kms, generating time savings to other drivers valued at $5.5 million
Provided wheelchair and pushchair accessible stations and buses
Encouraged walking. Northern Express customers walked 600m more each day than previously
Linked the key employment and growth areas of the North Shore with the CBD.
In June 2010, the Northern Express carried its five millionth passenger across the Waitemata Harbour. From just over 14,000 in its first
month of 2005, the service now averages 170,000 passengers each month and peaked at 210,000 in March 2010.
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