What is O Mahurangi Penlink?

    O Mahurangi Penlink will provide a direct connection between Whangaparāoa Road (near Cedar Terrace) and State Highway 1 (near Ara Wēiti Road). 

    When O Mahurangi Penlink opens it will have one general traffic lane in each direction. It will be future proofed to include bus shoulder lanes – these would allow AT buses to bypass any congestion in the general traffic lanes. The bus shoulder lanes will not be available when the new highway first opens. 

    A new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians will connect Whangaparāoa Road and East Coast Road.

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and the O Mahurangi Alliance are building the new highway. Visit the NZTA website for more information

    Please note, the design and operation of the new highway are outside the scope of this project.

    O Mahurangi Penlink route map

    Click the map to download/view a larger version.


    What is the Whangaparāoa Public Transport Study?

    We’re collecting your feedback for inclusion in the Whangaparāoa Public Transport Study. 

    The study is investigating the public transport needs of the peninsula in detail, and will identify a proposed public transport network for the peninsula when O Mahurangi Penlink is open. The study considers the needs of people travelling between different parts of the peninsula, North Shore, City Centre and other parts of Auckland.

    The study considers multiple possible scenarios for future bus and ferry services on the peninsula when O Mahurangi Penlink is open. Because no funding has been identified for future rail infrastructure, light rail and heavy rail are not being considered by the study.

    The scenarios, assessment criteria and work to date have been discussed with the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board and Albany Ward Councillors. 

    If you would like to be kept up to date as the study progresses, please email WPStudy@at.govt.nz. We won’t use your email address for any other purpose.

    Assessment criteria

    Study options will be assessed against objectives taken from AT’s Statement of Intent (SOI) and 2023-2031 Regional Public Transport Plan.

    Statement Of Intent objectives

     SOI objective 

    Criteria for Whangaparāoa Public Transport Study

    Better understanding of communities we serve

    RPTP feedback

    Customer experience 

    Getting the basics right

    Improving access to opportunities 

    Providing frequent, turn up and go transit

    Leveraging existing network using data, tech and insights 

    Addressing strategic focus areas (Future Connect)

    Journey time and journey time reliability 

    Value for money and reducing costs to council 

    OPEX – cost per passenger per kilometre

    Capital expenditure 

    Duplication of routes

    Other

    Impact on Emissions 

    Resilience 

    Alignment with other investment 

    Deliverability 


    Regional Public Transport Plan 2023 - 2031 objectives


    When will buses and ferries be low-emission?

    Auckland Council declared a climate crisis in 2019. One of the ways AT is responding to this crisis is by reducing the carbon emissions and environmental impact of our public transport network. AT is currently working towards:

    • Two-thirds of buses being low-emission by 2031, and all buses being low emission by 2035. For more information see AT’s Low Emission Bus Roadmap.
    • 50% of the ferry fleet being low-emission (electric and hybrid vessels) by 2031. For more information see the ‘Low-emission ferries are coming’ page on the AT website.

    How does the Whangaparāoa Public Transport Study account for potential growth?

    The Whangaparāoa Public Transport Study will consider a range of factors, including a high level review of how future changes in land use (such as housing) may change travel demand for both public transport and car use. This review will be based on agreed future year land use scenarios used by Auckland Council in planning work. The study will consider how these changes may impact future public transport reliability and journey times, and how any impacts could be offset by measures such as alternative use of road space, traffic signal priority or stop spacing.