Gulf Harbour Ferry Terminal - Installing bus stop and mobility parking

About the project

Following requests from the community we are upgrading the bus stop area by the Gulf Harbour ferry terminal to improve safety and accessibility for our bus passengers.

Our contractor Wharehine Construction is set to start work on making some improvements to the southern car parking area next to the ferry terminal.

From Monday 11 November 2024 for around one month. Work hours will be in between 7 am and 6.30 pm.

The work we're doing

We’re constructing a new bus waiting area, bus shelter foundation, new footpath and providing mobility parking spaces. The drawings overleaf show where we’ll be working.

This work involves:

• excavating the existing kerb and channel,
• installing new kerb and channel,
• pouring new concrete footpaths and the bus shelter foundation,
• laying new asphalt where parking spaces are being extended,
• road marking and minor associated works.

We’ll do our best to start the work on time. Factors such as wet weather could mean a delayed start. If the delay is significant, we’ll notify you.

We’ll handle traffic flow in and out of the area.

You’ll need to reduce your speed when you’re driving through the area. Please follow all signs, light signals and traffic directions.

While we are doing the works there will be a small reduction in the number of parking spaces in the car park and the bus stop location will be temporarily relocated (50m away) while we construct the new one. Signage will be in place to assist bus users.

Contact Us

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation whilst we carry out these essential works.

What we are proposing

We’re planning to make some improvements to the southern car parking area next to the ferry terminal.

New bus stop, shelter and mobility parking

New bus break stop

The main changes are:

• At the eastern end of the car park:
  1. Install a new shelter next to the existing shelter at the bus stop.
  2. Convert the existing ‘all vehicle’ drop-off zone to a formal bus stop, including a kerb build out so passengers can step off the bus directly onto the paved area and new footpath (see below).
  3. Install a new P10 At All Times pick-up and drop-off bay, just south of the bus stop.
  4. Convert 5 x general parking spaces to 4 x mobility parking spaces. The spaces will also be 1.8m longer to better support mobility vans.
  5. Install a new footpath on the edge of the car park that connects the mobility parking, the bus stop and the P10 bay to each other, as well as to the path that leads to the bus shelter and ferry.
  6. Install pram ramps from each mobility bay to the new footpath, and one from the car park to the new footpath.
  7. Install 1 x new bench seat by the upgraded bus stop and 1 x new bench seat by the new P10 pick-up/drop-off space.
• At the western end of the car park:
  1. Convert 2 x general parking spaces to a bus break stop for bus drivers to use when having a rest break.

Benefits to the community

These changes are necessary to ensure the best possible journey for all of our passengers. They will:

• Improve access to, and the experience of using, public transport
• Provide better shelter from the weather when waiting for the next bus
• Improve access to the reserve and ferry services for people with diverse mobility needs
• Provide bus drivers a place to rest in between service runs that is close to the commencement of their next run.

Proposal Outcome

After reviewing the feedback we received, this project will proceed with changes. These improvements can be found above

Themes and Concerns received from the community

Parking Irregularities

The Gulf Harbour Ferry Terminal Carpark is managed and owned by Auckland Council, we will pass along your concerns to the appropriate team in Auckland Council that oversees this area.

Facility Deficiencies (Toilets and lighting)

At this stage, the project design and resource allocations focused on achieving specific goals within the defined scope. While the suggestions raised are important, they fall outside the scope of this project. we are unable to address them as this carpark is managed and owned by Auckland Council.

We will forward this message to the appropriate person/team in Auckland Council for their consideration, and we will also keep the suggestions in mind for any future planning.

Removal of proposed “no stopping at all times” (Broken Yellow Lines) markings.

We have received suggestions regarding the “no stopping at all times” (Broken Yellow Lines) markings in between the bus stop and the new P10 pick-up and drop-off bay. This area has been marked with broken yellow lines to prohibit parking because this area is required for bus tracking. If vehicles are parked here, the buses will not be able to turn out of the bus stop. To ensure safety and maintain smooth traffic flow, we must keep this area clear of parked vehicles.

Mobility Carparks

One of the objectives of this project is to improve the accessibility for people with diverse mobility needs to our Public Transport services. In current stage, we do not plan to further reduce the number of mobility spaces. We will continue to monitor the usage of these car parks and make changes when necessary.

Bus Shelter Location

We have carefully designed the bus stop to face north, intentionally positioning it away from the prevailing winds coming off the sea. The orientation ensures that passengers will benefit from maximum protection in the inclement weather, providing a more comfortable and sheltered waiting experience.

Next Steps

We anticipated that this project would begin construction in November 2024. We will notify the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, Gulf Harbour Marina and the community once we have confirmed the construction timeline. We will work to mitigate disruption as much as possible and ensure advance notice is given of any works.