New bus lanes on Remuera Road, through the heart of Remuera’s business district, are among the options being considered by Auckland Transport (AT) for commuters on Auckland’s emerging integrated transport network.
Bus lanes could result in the removal of parking in the village centre at peak periods, reducing residents’ access to local businesses and services.
In an article on NZ’s Stuff news site, East & Bays Courier reporter Mary Fitzgerald notes that in 2012, AT replaced bus lanes on two sections of Remuera Road with T3 lanes after the Orakei Local Board pushed for change. Asked to comment on the prospect of bus lanes through Remuera business district, Remuera Business Association Manager Laura Carr said that AT had to consider the needs of local businesses in suburbs located on transport corridors. And Remuera Residents’ Association Chairman Iain Valentine warned that the loss of parking in village centres was detrimental to local business and eroded the area’s sense of community.
An AT spokesperson is quoted as saying that “AT plans to consider all available options and will be taking public feedback into account”. But Ian Valentine notes that AT had not mentioned upgrading Remuera Road as a transport route in its consultation on the “new network”.
At date of publication, Orakei Local Board were awaiting AT’s update on their plans for Remuera Road.