Midtown Access Trial

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Access to Midtown is changing from Sunday 19 April 2026

Midtown is getting ready for a busy year. With the Wellesley Street bus upgrades nearly finished and Te Waihorotiu Station opening later this year, more people will be travelling through the city centre.

To get ready, we’re trialling changes that support bus reliability, pedestrians, and access for businesses and residents, while improving evening and mobility access and connections to key destinations.  

The trial will run for up to two years. This gives us time to monitor what’s working, understand the impacts, and adjust the changes if needed.

We’ll contact you in July 2026 to ask how the changes are working once the trial has had time to settle in. Your feedback will help shape what happens next. Register to be involved.

Thanks to everyone who shared early feedback. Auckland Council’s Traffic Control Committee considered it before recommending the trial go ahead. Read a summary of what we heard.

Sign up for updates to the Midtown Access Trial or to join the Midtown Advisory Group

What is changing to how I get around?

Wellesley Street (between Elliott Street and Queen Street)

  • Bus lanes operating 7am to 7pm daily 

  • Access to local businesses, the two public carparks and motorcycle parking on Elliott Street via Wellesley Street will continue.

  • Preferred routes for general traffic traveling through Midtown are Mayoral Drive and to a lesser extent Victoria Street.

Queen Street (between Wakefield Street and Wellesley Street)

  • Goods Vehicles & Bus lane operating between 7am to 7pm daily instead of 24 hours a day.  
  • After 7pm all vehicles will be able to travel along this section, improving evening access to arts and entertainment destinations. 
  • Loading zones outside Acecco Supermarket and the Smith & Caughey Building will be limited to 5 minutes on weekdays between 6am to 6pm. At all other times it will be for 15 minutes.
  • Mobility parking outside 290 Queen Street will be 30 minutes on both sides of the street.
  • New dedicated pick up and drop off locations enhancing in Wakefield Quadrant enhancing access to key Midtown destinations i.e. the Town Hall and the Civic Theatre.

Total Mobility 

Total Mobility registered vehicles will be permitted to use the Goods Vehicles & Bus lanes on Queen Street during the trial operating hours (daily, 7am–7pm) to access mobility parking on Queen Street. This change represents a positive step toward improving accessibility in the city.  


What's happening on Wellesley Street?

Wellesley Street upgrades are close to completion, with new bus shelters, wider footpaths and safer crossings. When Te Waihorotiu Station opens, more people will be walking to and from the station and catching buses on Wellesley Street. Further changes are needed to support Wellesley Street as a key gateway to the city and a thriving pedestrian and entertainment destination.

From Sunday 19 April 2026:

  • Bus lanes will operate between Elliott Street and Queen Street (7am–7pm daily). These lanes will prioritise buses from 7am to 7pm daily to enable faster, more reliable journeys.

  • From 7pm to 7am daily, these bus lanes are open for general traffic to reach Queen Street when bus travel is less frequent.

Between 7am and 7pm, only buses, bikes, motorbikes and mopeds can use the bus lanes


What is Happening on Queen Street?

Goods Vehicles & Bus lane (Wakefield Street to Wellesley Street)

Albert Street and Mayoral Drive reopened in November 2025 after eight years, bringing back nearly 900 buses daily. This shifted 447 buses each way from Queen Street, where they ran during construction.

As streets are upgraded and re-opened and the city evolves, how we move around will continue to change. The council group are shifting focus towards optimising our integrated city centre transport network post-construction.

On Queen Street (between Wakefield Street and Wellesley Street) there is currently a 24/7 bus lane and Authorised Vehicles Only (AVO) lane. Find out more about vehicles that can use an AVO.

These lanes have had a few different names over the years, including the Essential Vehicle Area (EVA) and the Authorised Vehicles Only (AVO) zone. To keep things simple and match what you’ll see on street signs, we’ll call them Goods Vehicles & Bus lanes.

Goods Vehicles & Bus lane hours will change from 24/7 to 7am–7pm

During the trial, the Goods Vehicles & Bus lane operates 7am–7pm, every day. After 7pm, all vehicles can use this section.

Mobility access (Total Mobility and mobility parking)

Total Mobility is a New Zealand-wide scheme that supports people with mobility access needs by offering subsidised fares on participating taxis. As part of the trial, Total Mobility registered vehicles can use the Goods Vehicles & Bus lane during operating hours (7am–7pm daily) to reach mobility parking.

Mobility parking is located outside 290 Queen Street, just north of Wellesley Street.

Take a closer look at the drawings here

Loading Zone Changes

The timing of the existing Loading Zone (LZ) spaces on both sides of Queen Street—just north of Wellesley Street, outside Acecco Supermarket and the Smith & Caughey building—will be adjusted.

These changes in time will align with the majority of LZ times in the city centre, at 5 minutes (Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm), to increase turnover and improve availability for service vehicles during busy periods.

After 6pm on weekdays and throughout weekends, loading and pick-up/drop-off activities become a higher priority. To accommodate this, the vehicle loading time will be extended to 15 minutes.

Take a look at the drawings here

Why is this a trial

We’re taking a pragmatic, balanced approach that reduces obstacles for visitors, businesses and residents, supports key destinations and the night-time economy, and monitors the changes so we can adapt where needed. These changes are being delivered as a trial under the Land Transport Rule: Streets Layout 2023.

The trial will last for up to two years, giving us time to learn what works and where adjustments may be needed. This timeframe also allows for meaningful input before any decisions are made about making changes permanent.

Quarterly reviews

We’ll review the trial every three months and share updates on what we’re seeing. We will be collecting a range of operational data - including bus travel time, pedestrian safety, traffic volumes, compliance, servicing activity, and feedback from landowners, residents, businesses, and visitors. 

We’ll gather feedback through surveys, conversations, and direct engagement with stakeholder groups.

Midtown Advisory Group

We’re setting up a new forum – the Midtown Advisory Group – to ensure a wide mix of people and organisations can be involved. This group will help shape the trial by sharing insights, providing feedback, and reviewing results. 

We welcome both individuals and groups to apply. Each quarter, we’ll share the trial results with the Advisory Group for discussion and comment.  Our goal is to make the evaluation process collaborative, transparent, and reflective of the community’s experience of the changes. Register your interest for the Midtown Advisory Group.

Managing parking on Elliott Street's shared spaces

Elliott Street has been a shared space since 2011.

With works on Wellesley Street nearing completion and the CRL opening later this year, loading zone times will revert to standard shared‑space operating hours from Sunday, 19 April.

What this means for you

  • On-street loading and servicing will change from 6am-6pm to 6am - 11am

  • From 11am-6am no stopping will be permitted except in dedicated Loading Zones.

  • Access to local businesses, the two public carparks and motorcycle parking on Elliott Street via Wellesley Street will continue.

We are working to deliver a solution that helps Elliott Street be a safe, welcoming shared space in our city centre while supporting business operations. We are therefore planning on introducing three additional spaces. Two on Elliott Street and one on Darby Street. These would be operational at all times. We will let you know when the additional Loading Zones will be operational.

New Traffic Circulation

Access to Midtown is changing from Sunday 19 April 2026

Midtown is getting ready for a busy year. With the Wellesley Street bus upgrades nearly finished and Te Waihorotiu Station opening later this year, more people will be travelling through the city centre.

To get ready, we’re trialling changes that support bus reliability, pedestrians, and access for businesses and residents, while improving evening and mobility access and connections to key destinations.  

The trial will run for up to two years. This gives us time to monitor what’s working, understand the impacts, and adjust the changes if needed.

We’ll contact you in July 2026 to ask how the changes are working once the trial has had time to settle in. Your feedback will help shape what happens next. Register to be involved.

Thanks to everyone who shared early feedback. Auckland Council’s Traffic Control Committee considered it before recommending the trial go ahead. Read a summary of what we heard.

Sign up for updates to the Midtown Access Trial or to join the Midtown Advisory Group

What is changing to how I get around?

Wellesley Street (between Elliott Street and Queen Street)

  • Bus lanes operating 7am to 7pm daily 

  • Access to local businesses, the two public carparks and motorcycle parking on Elliott Street via Wellesley Street will continue.

  • Preferred routes for general traffic traveling through Midtown are Mayoral Drive and to a lesser extent Victoria Street.

Queen Street (between Wakefield Street and Wellesley Street)

  • Goods Vehicles & Bus lane operating between 7am to 7pm daily instead of 24 hours a day.  
  • After 7pm all vehicles will be able to travel along this section, improving evening access to arts and entertainment destinations. 
  • Loading zones outside Acecco Supermarket and the Smith & Caughey Building will be limited to 5 minutes on weekdays between 6am to 6pm. At all other times it will be for 15 minutes.
  • Mobility parking outside 290 Queen Street will be 30 minutes on both sides of the street.
  • New dedicated pick up and drop off locations enhancing in Wakefield Quadrant enhancing access to key Midtown destinations i.e. the Town Hall and the Civic Theatre.

Total Mobility 

Total Mobility registered vehicles will be permitted to use the Goods Vehicles & Bus lanes on Queen Street during the trial operating hours (daily, 7am–7pm) to access mobility parking on Queen Street. This change represents a positive step toward improving accessibility in the city.  


What's happening on Wellesley Street?

Wellesley Street upgrades are close to completion, with new bus shelters, wider footpaths and safer crossings. When Te Waihorotiu Station opens, more people will be walking to and from the station and catching buses on Wellesley Street. Further changes are needed to support Wellesley Street as a key gateway to the city and a thriving pedestrian and entertainment destination.

From Sunday 19 April 2026:

  • Bus lanes will operate between Elliott Street and Queen Street (7am–7pm daily). These lanes will prioritise buses from 7am to 7pm daily to enable faster, more reliable journeys.

  • From 7pm to 7am daily, these bus lanes are open for general traffic to reach Queen Street when bus travel is less frequent.

Between 7am and 7pm, only buses, bikes, motorbikes and mopeds can use the bus lanes


What is Happening on Queen Street?

Goods Vehicles & Bus lane (Wakefield Street to Wellesley Street)

Albert Street and Mayoral Drive reopened in November 2025 after eight years, bringing back nearly 900 buses daily. This shifted 447 buses each way from Queen Street, where they ran during construction.

As streets are upgraded and re-opened and the city evolves, how we move around will continue to change. The council group are shifting focus towards optimising our integrated city centre transport network post-construction.

On Queen Street (between Wakefield Street and Wellesley Street) there is currently a 24/7 bus lane and Authorised Vehicles Only (AVO) lane. Find out more about vehicles that can use an AVO.

These lanes have had a few different names over the years, including the Essential Vehicle Area (EVA) and the Authorised Vehicles Only (AVO) zone. To keep things simple and match what you’ll see on street signs, we’ll call them Goods Vehicles & Bus lanes.

Goods Vehicles & Bus lane hours will change from 24/7 to 7am–7pm

During the trial, the Goods Vehicles & Bus lane operates 7am–7pm, every day. After 7pm, all vehicles can use this section.

Mobility access (Total Mobility and mobility parking)

Total Mobility is a New Zealand-wide scheme that supports people with mobility access needs by offering subsidised fares on participating taxis. As part of the trial, Total Mobility registered vehicles can use the Goods Vehicles & Bus lane during operating hours (7am–7pm daily) to reach mobility parking.

Mobility parking is located outside 290 Queen Street, just north of Wellesley Street.

Take a closer look at the drawings here

Loading Zone Changes

The timing of the existing Loading Zone (LZ) spaces on both sides of Queen Street—just north of Wellesley Street, outside Acecco Supermarket and the Smith & Caughey building—will be adjusted.

These changes in time will align with the majority of LZ times in the city centre, at 5 minutes (Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm), to increase turnover and improve availability for service vehicles during busy periods.

After 6pm on weekdays and throughout weekends, loading and pick-up/drop-off activities become a higher priority. To accommodate this, the vehicle loading time will be extended to 15 minutes.

Take a look at the drawings here

Why is this a trial

We’re taking a pragmatic, balanced approach that reduces obstacles for visitors, businesses and residents, supports key destinations and the night-time economy, and monitors the changes so we can adapt where needed. These changes are being delivered as a trial under the Land Transport Rule: Streets Layout 2023.

The trial will last for up to two years, giving us time to learn what works and where adjustments may be needed. This timeframe also allows for meaningful input before any decisions are made about making changes permanent.

Quarterly reviews

We’ll review the trial every three months and share updates on what we’re seeing. We will be collecting a range of operational data - including bus travel time, pedestrian safety, traffic volumes, compliance, servicing activity, and feedback from landowners, residents, businesses, and visitors. 

We’ll gather feedback through surveys, conversations, and direct engagement with stakeholder groups.

Midtown Advisory Group

We’re setting up a new forum – the Midtown Advisory Group – to ensure a wide mix of people and organisations can be involved. This group will help shape the trial by sharing insights, providing feedback, and reviewing results. 

We welcome both individuals and groups to apply. Each quarter, we’ll share the trial results with the Advisory Group for discussion and comment.  Our goal is to make the evaluation process collaborative, transparent, and reflective of the community’s experience of the changes. Register your interest for the Midtown Advisory Group.

Managing parking on Elliott Street's shared spaces

Elliott Street has been a shared space since 2011.

With works on Wellesley Street nearing completion and the CRL opening later this year, loading zone times will revert to standard shared‑space operating hours from Sunday, 19 April.

What this means for you

  • On-street loading and servicing will change from 6am-6pm to 6am - 11am

  • From 11am-6am no stopping will be permitted except in dedicated Loading Zones.

  • Access to local businesses, the two public carparks and motorcycle parking on Elliott Street via Wellesley Street will continue.

We are working to deliver a solution that helps Elliott Street be a safe, welcoming shared space in our city centre while supporting business operations. We are therefore planning on introducing three additional spaces. Two on Elliott Street and one on Darby Street. These would be operational at all times. We will let you know when the additional Loading Zones will be operational.

New Traffic Circulation

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Thank you for your questions and feedback on Midtown circulation and access changes.  Engagement on this project is now closed.

  • Share This is a lot of work, probably done by people with very expensive salaries, for the benefit of who exactly? on Facebook Share This is a lot of work, probably done by people with very expensive salaries, for the benefit of who exactly? on Twitter Share This is a lot of work, probably done by people with very expensive salaries, for the benefit of who exactly? on Linkedin Email This is a lot of work, probably done by people with very expensive salaries, for the benefit of who exactly? link

    This is a lot of work, probably done by people with very expensive salaries, for the benefit of who exactly?

    Caius asked about 1 month ago

    Kia ora 

    Thank you for your question. 

    Aucklanders are telling us they want a convenient, well-connected, accessible and reliable transport system that moves them around the region whether they choose to drive, walk, cycle, bus, train or ferry.  

    Working in partnership with Auckland Council, Elected Members and communities is central to hearing and understanding what Aucklanders want and responding to that in our decisions.

    The Midtown Traffic Circulation Plan is a key initiative within the City Centre Action Plan, designed to prepare the transport network to maximise the benefits of the City Rail Link (CRL) opening in 2026.   

    Wellesley Street has been upgraded, with new bus shelters, wider footpaths, improved crossings, and dedicated bus lanes for faster, more reliable journeys.  

    Wellesley Street will bring thousands of people to our city centre daily through this new custom-built bus corridor, which will link to the new Te Waihorotiu CRL Train Station.   

    Albert Street and Mayoral Drive reopened on 29 November 2025 after eight years, bringing back nearly 900 buses daily, delivering on the City Centre Bus Plan, City Centre Master Plan, and Access for Everyone. This shifted 447 buses each way from Queen Street, where they ran during construction. 

    As streets are upgraded and re-opened and the city evolves, how we move around will continue to change. The council group are shifting focus towards optimising our integrated city centre transport network post-construction.   

    We are taking a pragmatic and balanced approach to reducing obstacles for visitors, businesses and residents, supporting key destinations, and the night-time economy, while actively monitoring changes in real-time and remaining open to adapt as needed. 

    We’ll monitor bus reliability and travel times, pedestrian activity and safety, traffic volumes and circulation, loading/servicing access, and community feedback. If issues arise, we’ll adjust settings and share updates during the trial. 

    Ngā mihi I Kind regards 

    AT Engagement 

    benefits
    benefits
  • Share Hi. This plan is oddly going backwards to what Auckland has been trying to achieve. What are the reasons the AVO needed to be trialled and abolished? The road has always been available to the businesses around. With more cars going thru the area, it makes the area much less attractive for me and anyone I know to go to the area. Given the new train station due to open, and expected number of students to be going around this area, the plan is making the area more at risk for walkers. Also with the timing provided, it only going to cause confusion and 'excuse' to drive thru or park within. Driver behaviors are getting worse in the city and the last thing I want is more risk/exposure to cars in what is meant to be a highly pedestrianised area. I do not support of this plan. on Facebook Share Hi. This plan is oddly going backwards to what Auckland has been trying to achieve. What are the reasons the AVO needed to be trialled and abolished? The road has always been available to the businesses around. With more cars going thru the area, it makes the area much less attractive for me and anyone I know to go to the area. Given the new train station due to open, and expected number of students to be going around this area, the plan is making the area more at risk for walkers. Also with the timing provided, it only going to cause confusion and 'excuse' to drive thru or park within. Driver behaviors are getting worse in the city and the last thing I want is more risk/exposure to cars in what is meant to be a highly pedestrianised area. I do not support of this plan. on Twitter Share Hi. This plan is oddly going backwards to what Auckland has been trying to achieve. What are the reasons the AVO needed to be trialled and abolished? The road has always been available to the businesses around. With more cars going thru the area, it makes the area much less attractive for me and anyone I know to go to the area. Given the new train station due to open, and expected number of students to be going around this area, the plan is making the area more at risk for walkers. Also with the timing provided, it only going to cause confusion and 'excuse' to drive thru or park within. Driver behaviors are getting worse in the city and the last thing I want is more risk/exposure to cars in what is meant to be a highly pedestrianised area. I do not support of this plan. on Linkedin Email Hi. This plan is oddly going backwards to what Auckland has been trying to achieve. What are the reasons the AVO needed to be trialled and abolished? The road has always been available to the businesses around. With more cars going thru the area, it makes the area much less attractive for me and anyone I know to go to the area. Given the new train station due to open, and expected number of students to be going around this area, the plan is making the area more at risk for walkers. Also with the timing provided, it only going to cause confusion and 'excuse' to drive thru or park within. Driver behaviors are getting worse in the city and the last thing I want is more risk/exposure to cars in what is meant to be a highly pedestrianised area. I do not support of this plan. link

    Hi. This plan is oddly going backwards to what Auckland has been trying to achieve. What are the reasons the AVO needed to be trialled and abolished? The road has always been available to the businesses around. With more cars going thru the area, it makes the area much less attractive for me and anyone I know to go to the area. Given the new train station due to open, and expected number of students to be going around this area, the plan is making the area more at risk for walkers. Also with the timing provided, it only going to cause confusion and 'excuse' to drive thru or park within. Driver behaviors are getting worse in the city and the last thing I want is more risk/exposure to cars in what is meant to be a highly pedestrianised area. I do not support of this plan.

    T Emerson asked about 1 month ago

    Albert Street and Mayoral Drive reopened on 29 November 2025 after eight years, bringing back nearly 900 buses daily, and shifting 447 buses each way from Queen Street, where they ran during CRL construction. 

    As streets are upgraded and re-opened and the city evolves, how we move around will continue to change. The council group are shifting focus towards optimising our integrated city centre transport network post-construction.   

    The Midtown Traffic Circulation Plan is a key initiative within the City Centre Action Plan, designed to prepare the transport network to maximise the benefits of the City Rail Link (CRL) opening in 2026.   

    The new Wellesley Street Bus Interchange will be completed in April and is set to become one of the busiest transport hubs in the country. The trial will monitor operating hours of the Wellesley Street Bus lanes between Elliot and Queen Streets between 7am-7pm and reduced operating hours of the Queen Street Authorised Vehicles Only (AVO) area to 7am-7pm.  

    This alignment across Queen and Wellesley Streets provides both access and clarity for drivers in the area and is the starting point for the trial. New advance directional signage and other resources such as maps and guides to parking, loading, and pick-up and drop-off areas will support drivers to navigate midtown, avoiding low traffic areas and bus lanes.  

    The trial will monitor through data and community feedback whether these settings balance timely bus movements, congestion, access to support the nighttime economy, support navigation, and provide safe pedestrian access around the new transport interchange.

    pedestrians ,general traffic,safety
    pedestrians general traffic safety
  • Share When will the public have the opportunity to have input to the proposals? Is there any intention to increase the frequency of pedestrian crossing sequences at Queen Street intersections? There are frequently large numbers / crowds of pedestrians with lengthy waiting to cross at most Queen Street intersections. on Facebook Share When will the public have the opportunity to have input to the proposals? Is there any intention to increase the frequency of pedestrian crossing sequences at Queen Street intersections? There are frequently large numbers / crowds of pedestrians with lengthy waiting to cross at most Queen Street intersections. on Twitter Share When will the public have the opportunity to have input to the proposals? Is there any intention to increase the frequency of pedestrian crossing sequences at Queen Street intersections? There are frequently large numbers / crowds of pedestrians with lengthy waiting to cross at most Queen Street intersections. on Linkedin Email When will the public have the opportunity to have input to the proposals? Is there any intention to increase the frequency of pedestrian crossing sequences at Queen Street intersections? There are frequently large numbers / crowds of pedestrians with lengthy waiting to cross at most Queen Street intersections. link

    When will the public have the opportunity to have input to the proposals? Is there any intention to increase the frequency of pedestrian crossing sequences at Queen Street intersections? There are frequently large numbers / crowds of pedestrians with lengthy waiting to cross at most Queen Street intersections.

    Tony Mortimer asked about 1 month ago

    We are committed to putting people and places at the heart of how we design and deliver our transport system. We do that by listening and responding to needs of our customers and communities and working with others to take a whole of system view and partnering with Māori.

    During 2025 and early 2026, AT engaged with elected members, city centre stakeholders and advocacy organisations, local businesses, entertainment venues, property owners, and residents to inform midtown access changes and the trial mechanism.  

    From 19 April 2026, the trial will start under NZTA Waka Kotahi’s Reshaping Streets / Land Transport Rule: Streets Layout 2023. The trial allows for community feedback, monitoring and adjustment in real time before any permanent changes are confirmed. 

    During the trial, we’ll monitor bus reliability and travel times, pedestrian activity and safety, traffic volumes and circulation, loading/servicing access, and provide ongoing opportunities for community feedback. If issues arise, we’ll adjust settings and share updates. 

    All community feedback gathered before and during the trial will be considered and help inform changes.  A range of opportunities to listen to communities will be promoted at regular intervals throughout the trial. 

    More detailed information will be shared mid-March, one month prior to the start date. 

    community engagement
    community engagement
  • Share How will letting cars in the AVO area make Queen Street safer and more accessible? on Facebook Share How will letting cars in the AVO area make Queen Street safer and more accessible? on Twitter Share How will letting cars in the AVO area make Queen Street safer and more accessible? on Linkedin Email How will letting cars in the AVO area make Queen Street safer and more accessible? link

    How will letting cars in the AVO area make Queen Street safer and more accessible?

    Kirsty asked about 1 month ago

    Fewer buses on Queen Street

    Albert Street and Mayoral Drive reopened on 29 November 2025 after eight years, bringing back nearly 900 buses daily to the newly opened corridor. This shifted 447 buses each way daily from Queen Street, where they ran during construction. 

    Mobility Parking and Access

    To support accessibility in midtown, a new mobility parking space will be created on Queen Street, just north of Wellesley Street. We are also working on a plan to whitelist Total Mobility service vehicles to travel through the Authorised Vehicles Only area (AVO).    

    Servicing, pick-up and drop-off

    The timing of the existing Loading Zone (LZ) spaces on both sides of Queen Street, just north of Wellesley Street, will be adjusted. These changes in time will align with the majority of LZ times in the city centre, at 5 minutes (Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm), to increase turnover and improve availability for service vehicles during busy periods.  

    After 6pm on weekdays and throughout weekends, loading and pick-up/drop-off activities become a higher priority, in particular for those with access needs. To accommodate this, the vehicle loading time will be extended to 15 minutes. 

    To further support safe access to midtown, changes are underway in the Wakefield Quadrant, north of the AVO area, following consultation on Room to Move in the City Centre in 2025. These changes respond to feedback, in particular, from those with access needs visiting key cultural and entertainment destinations in the Aotea Arts Quarter. 

    • A segment of paid parking is being converted to short-term time-restricted parking (daytime with evening free for pick-up and drop-off)
    • Existing bus parking is being converted to dual use parking and loading zones (bus parking Monday to Friday 3-7pm and LZ P5 at all other times to enable servicing, pick-up and drop-off. 

    • The P15 Goods Vehicle only zone outside the Town Hall will convert to P5 LZ after 6pm to enable pick-up/drop-off. 

    • A new rideshare waiting area is proposed for Wakefield Street in the current bus parking zone. Further engagement on this change will take place during the trial period. 

    These changes respond to feedback to provide improved access to key destinations such as the Town Hall, Aotea Centre and Civic Theatre. At the same time, reducing general traffic entering the Authorised Vehicles Only (AVO) area.

    safety,accessibility,pudo
    safety accessibility pudo
  • Share Will this allow fewer buses, and therefore fewer people travelling to/from the city centre, than having 24/7 AVO and bus lanes would? on Facebook Share Will this allow fewer buses, and therefore fewer people travelling to/from the city centre, than having 24/7 AVO and bus lanes would? on Twitter Share Will this allow fewer buses, and therefore fewer people travelling to/from the city centre, than having 24/7 AVO and bus lanes would? on Linkedin Email Will this allow fewer buses, and therefore fewer people travelling to/from the city centre, than having 24/7 AVO and bus lanes would? link

    Will this allow fewer buses, and therefore fewer people travelling to/from the city centre, than having 24/7 AVO and bus lanes would?

    Dominicjacquem asked about 1 month ago

    The City Centre Bus Plan will make bus journeys more efficient and reliable, and the city centre better connected for all Aucklanders no matter how they choose to travel.     

    Buses remain essential to city centre access, even after the City Rail Link opens, most public transport users will still arrive by bus.   

    Albert Street and Mayoral Drive reopened on 29 November 2025 after eight years, bringing back nearly 900 buses daily, delivering on the City Centre Bus Plan, City Centre Master Plan, and Access for Everyone. This shifted 447 buses each way from Queen Street, where they were diverted during CRL construction.

    As streets are upgraded and re-opened and the city evolves, how we move around will continue to change. The council group are shifting focus towards optimising our integrated city centre transport network post-construction.   

    We are taking a pragmatic and balanced approach to reducing obstacles for visitors, businesses and residents, supporting key destinations, and the night-time economy, while actively monitoring changes in real-time and remaining open to adapt as needed. 

    We’ll monitor bus reliability and travel times, pedestrian activity and safety, traffic volumes and circulation, loading/servicing access, and community feedback. If issues arise, we’ll adjust settings and share updates during the trial. 

    buses ,bus lanes
    buses bus lanes
Page last updated: 20 Mar 2026, 08:27 PM