Wellesley Street bus improvements - Stage 2
Project Overview
We’re transforming the city centre to put people first, and create a greener, safer and a better- connected city for everyone. City Rail Link, our new underground rail system, will be a game-changer for Auckland, giving thousands of people easier and better access to the city when it opens. We are making improvements across the city centre to connect our places and spaces, and transport options to ready for the opening of City Rail Link in 2026.
Buses need to be more frequent, more dependable, and get people to the city faster, while also being connected to our new train stations. Key city centre streets have been purpose-built as major corridors for buses entering and exiting Auckland. Giving priority to buses is essential to enable reliable, high-frequency public transport in our city.
As part of the Auckland City Centre Master Plan (CCMP), Wellesley Street is to become the primary east-west public transport link through Midtown in the centre city, providing for large numbers of buses and pedestrians.
When the City Rail Link opens in 2026, Te Waihorotiu will become the busiest train station in New Zealand.
Thousands of people will arrive by train, but buses will continue to deliver the greatest number of passengers to and from the city centre.
Already there are 17,500 bus trips along Wellesley Street every weekday.
Upgrading Wellesley Street for the increase in bus trips is part of the City Centre Bus Plan which prioritises public transport and people on foot.
These improvements span the full length of Wellesley Street from Victoria Park to Grafton Gully and will make it easier to connect to the Learning Quarter (universities), Te Waihorotiu Station, the New Zealand International Convention Centre and Victoria Quarter.
Over the next decade, improvements to Wellesley Street will be delivered in three stages:
Stage 1 – Queen Street to Albert Street is complete
Stage 2 – Albert Street to Victoria Park and Beaumont Street (design is underway with construction due to start in 2027)
Stage 3 – Queen Street to the Learning Quarter. This stage hasn’t been funded yet.
What we’re planning in Stage 2
The proposed Stage 2 design focuses on improving bus and pedestrian infrastructure between Victoria Park and Albert Street and includes extending the bus layover facilities on Beaumont Street.
It enables a safe and efficient public transport system by prioritising functionality, safety and urban form and aligns with the City Centre Master Plan.
The proposed design includes:
Improved bus connections
Approximately 1300 buses currently travel along Wellesley Street every day including 120-140 buses per hour during peak periods.
That number is expected to increase to more than 2200 buses per day by 2032 including 200 buses per hour during peak periods.
To accommodate this growth, we are proposing to introduce bus infrastructure which will improve capacity and reliability of bus services along Wellesley Street.
- One kerbside bus lane in each direction
- Reallocation of kerbside space on the southern side of Wellesley Street between Sale Street and Vernon Street. This space is currently used for on-street parking and will be repurposed for bus stops
- One lane of traffic in each direction
Road layout changes
Removing the separated left turning slip lanes from Wellesley Street onto Victoria Street
Removing the slip lanes at Drake and Vernon Streets
- Re-routing traffic around Drake and Vernon Streets into Sale Street.
The changes to the road layout provide an opportunity to create a community or open space, and we are talking to Auckland Council and mana whenua about this.
Simplified bus stops
Victoria Quarter cluster: Five bus stops in the eastbound direction and four in the westbound direction
Convention Centre cluster: Five bus stops in the eastbound direction and three in the westbound direction
Modern, modular and passenger-focused bus shelters that provide strong weather protection will be installed.
Safety improvements
Wider, higher quality and more consistent footpaths
Improved footpath and pedestrian crossing facilities
- Upgraded street lighting
- Improved CCTV network and enforcement of special vehicle lanes
- Upgraded traffic signals and phasing which will make travelling safer and improve network efficiency
Improved urban environment
We’re planning to provide a greater level of urban amenity through carefully placed street furniture, smart wayfinding, better accessibility, cultural narratives and planting.
Some of the trees along Wellesley Street aren’t doing so well – they’re root bound and can’t thrive. We want to replace those trees and plant more in better locations to provide shade and enhance the environment.
Replace the compromised trees and plant more than 35 good quality natives, in optimal locations that will enable long-term canopy cover
Beaumont Street improvements
In the future, more buses will mean more pressure on road space and the need for layover areas for buses to park between runs.
There’s limited space in the central city for bus drivers to park and take short breaks, so we plan on improving Beaumont Street, between Victoria and Fanshawe Streets, for short layovers.
The kerbside space along Beaumont Street will be used dynamically – by buses when necessary and for general vehicle parking outside of those times.
The improvements include:
Changes to the kerb lines to better protect trees from high vehicles
Replacing the refuge islands with a new signalised pedestrian crossing to provide safer access to Victoria Park
Change public parking times on Beaumont Street
How to get in touch about Stage 2
If your property, business or residence is affected by the proposed Stage 2 project, you will receive direct correspondence. If you are a tenant or lessee, your landlord will be notified.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
- Email: wellesley@AT.govt.nz
- Phone: (09) 355 3553
- Post: Auckland Transport, WSBI2 Project Team, 20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland 1010
- We will provide regular updates to keep you informed.
