Final stage of Auckland busway delayed by funding, alignment issues

A new 10-year budget for Auckland has dropped funding for the fourth and final stage of the $1.4 billion Eastern Busway due to financial shortfalls and uncertain alignment with future transport projects.

The busway, intended to run between Panmure and Botany, is expected to carry more than 30,000 passengers a day upon completion.

As of May, two stages have been completed to Pakuranga and the construction of Stage 3, which includes a $170m flyover at Reeves Rd, is underway.

Stage 4, the section from Ti Rakau Dr to a new station at Botany Town Centre, has been cut from Auckland Council's long-term plan, which was adopted last week.

Without this stage, buses would need to rejoin regular road traffic.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said the axing of the regional fuel tax required the council to reconsider several projects that have been "cut from the budget or descoped".

"This includes Stage 4 of the Eastern Busway (the Botany Interchange) which is no longer funded – a reduction of $298.7m or 88% of the project."

Auckland Transport's recently released draft Regional Transport Plan proposes delaying the final Botany Interchange until the alignment with the Airport to Botany project is understood.

"The cost estimate for this interchange and associated linkages has grown substantially and it is not yet decided how this facility will tie into the Airport to Botany project."

A spokesperson said the proposal still includes many of the benefits including 4.5km of new busway and 0.5km of bus lanes.

"AT will continue to investigate funding and options for the remainder of the project."

Transport Minister Simeon Brown told 1News the Government has "firmly committed" to improving public transport in Auckland and that it was "up to the council to fund their share."

"In our first 100 days, we passed legislation that axed the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax and ringfenced the remaining revenue towards priority projects, including the Eastern Busway.

"It remains unclear if Auckland Council and the mayor considers the completion of the Eastern Busway as a priority for Auckland in order to achieve the full benefits of this project."

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Part of the busway goes through his Pakuranga electorate.

When the end of the regional fuel tax was announced, around $350m of unspent money from the scheme remained, which Wayne Brown said would only be enough to complete the third stage of the Eastern Busway - including the Reeves Rd flyover - and fund the purchase of more electric rail units for the City Rail Link.