Annual patronage figures show shift to public transport

Annual public transport figures released by the Auckland Regional Council and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) show Aucklanders are on the move to public transport, with total patronage for the year to 30 June 2008 reaching 54.4 million journeys, 4.4% higher than last year.

ARTA’s Chief Executive, Fergus Gammie, says he is delighted with the figures. “Use of suburban rail has risen 18.5% over the past year, with a 30% jump on last year’s rail patronage figures in June and July this year.

“Overall bus patronage, which has been stagnant for a number of years has increased by just under 3%, which is particularly good news”.

The Auckland Regional Council Chairman, Michael Lee, says the public is responding to improvements to the system and the ARC Group remains committed to providing a fast, efficient and reliable public transport system. Public transport was necessary to combat congestion, provide affordable travel and added capacity and resilience to the transport network.

Mr Lee says, “We are making good progress but we still have a long way to go.”

Mr Gammie says a number of factors are inherent in the results. “Where ARTA, the ARC and the Government have invested to improve public transport services and infrastructure, such as on rail and on the Northern Busway, the return in respect of passenger growth, has been excellent.”

Mr Gammie also attributes some of the growth in public transport figures to the unforeseen leap in petrol prices this year. “The internationally unpredicted leap in petrol prices this year translated to a jump which shows most particularly in our rail patronage figures in the last eight weeks.

“While we welcome the increase in patronage and had planned for growth, the additional demand we are now seeing due to petrol price increases has meant some operational challenges for us and our operator Veolia.

“In brief, currently rail services are being provided by aging diesel trains on a network neglected for decades which is now undergoing a major rebuilding phase. We are literally running to make up for lost time.

“It also means that Aucklanders are having to cope with the types of crowding on trains that are customary on peak services overseas. New Zealanders like their personal space when travelling on public transport, but it comes at a cost. The reality of peak time train travel as experienced in Sydney and Melbourne is that standing is commonplace.

“While we acknowledge some trains are crowded at peak times, help is in sight with two more trains arriving in September and October this year, and six additional trains that are already on order will be delivered next year. Electrification of the network and new electric trains are also on the horizon, so public transport in Auckland is continually on the move.

“The good news for Auckland commuters is that they are now experiencing more stable service performance with 82.2% of rail services on time across all lines, 20% more services across the network per week and 15-minute train frequencies at peak.

“Over the next few years, Aucklanders will see more development in public transport, with the redevelopment of Newmarket station and other stations throughout the rail network, a review of bus services, electrification and the introduction of integrated ticketing”, says Mr Gammie.