Extension of T3 lane times on Auckland's Onewa Rd delayed to September 2018

Wednesday, 13 December 2017

Transit lane time changes have been delayed for Onewa Rd.

An unpopular move to extend transit lane times on a congested Auckland commuter route has been delayed, thanks to the persistence of local politicians.

Kaipātiki Local Board members received multiple approaches from upset residents regarding the changes to the time of operation of the Onewa Rd and Lake Rd T3 lanes, which were due to be implemented on Monday.

The changes would extend the transit lane times by an hour each morning and evening, to 6.30am till 10am and 4pm till 7pm.

However, the local board has achieved a last-minute reprieve. The local board approached Auckland Transport and requested any changes to the transit lane times be deferred until the new North Shore bus network started in September 2018 - a proposal AT agreed to.

Local board deputy chairman John Gillon said the delay to changes was a win for the community.

'The proposed changes would have a significant detrimental impact on many people who cannot move to buses for one reason or another, and have structured their lives and work around the existing T3 times,' Gillon said.

'Auckland Transport have a duty to alleviate traffic congestion, and to ensure that their decisions do not adversely impact congestion. That is why it makes more sense to align the T3 time changes with the introduction of the new bus network, when additional bus routes and times will begin.

'However, that said, a better solution is to introduce a clearway between the T3 periods, to ensure that all vehicles - buses and cars - can still move freely, without zigzagging around parked cars.'

The local board asked AT to reassess the need for the change in transit times, investigate introducing a clearway in the west-to-east Onewa Rd T3 lane between the morning and evening T3 periods, and look into dynamic lane control on Onewa Rd during peak times, so that there are three lanes for each peak flow.