The way ahead for Auckland’s public transport in a covid affected world

PLUS - most importantly it ...

PROVIDES

a vastly better, more integrated,
economical and frequent network.

Impact of COVID-19

It is well recognized that the Coronavirus lockdown has made huge changes in the way people work and the numbers commuting by public transport. More people will work from home or on flexible days. Unfortunately, less people will have a job to go to. Many will want to keep their private car bubble for extra security. These effects will last for many months, if not years. It is imperative that we provide the best possible public transport at the lowest possible cost in the shortest possible time

Auckland Council is in a financial crisis with no ability to get out of it. If Supermaxx had been introduced in 2007 over $1 billion would have been saved in subsidies through lower operating costs and increased revenue and the public would have had much better services and lower fares. We would be in much better shape to handle the pandemic.

A solution that benefits all involved

Moving to the schedules in this brochure and to unlimited travel passes will provide huge savings for Commuters, Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, and taxpayers. It also provides a much better more integrated city-wide service.

Features

• Supermaxx requires 350 less buses than Auckland Transport BUT provides higher capacity by maximising the network and bus use.
• Supermaxx removes 31,500 tons of carbon each year by fewer buses. PLUS a similar amount from less car use. All new buses must be electric. Diesel’s replaced by 2025
• Primary services are the heart of the Supermaxx network. With 22 routes and services every 10 minutes 7am -7pm (5 minutes at peak times) Monday – Saturday and every 20 minutes Sundays and off peak. Hourly services midnight – 6am for 6 month trial
• Supermaxx services start and end at shopping/work hubs.
• Supermaxx provides a fully integrated grid network
• SUPERMAXX UNLIMITED TRAVEL PASSES valid from Wellsford to Waiuku on any train, bus, and Devonport ferry to encourage Aucklanders to explore and enjoy all areas of their city and contribute to local economies

* from first to last boarding

Supermaxx Subsidy Savings – at least $100 million per year

What is SUPERMAXX?

• FAST
  Bus lanes on main roads and motorways.
  Priority at traffic lights
  Express between transport hubs using motorways
  Most direct and fastest route possible
   
• FREQUENT
  Services at least every 10 minutes on main routes and
  20 minutes on secondary routes
   
• REGULAR
  10 minutes apart means 10 minutes apart
   
• INTEGRATED
  Buses and trains co-ordinated with minimal connecting times at hubs and one unlimited travel pass fare
   

• COMPREHENSIVE
  Supercity wide coverage including every major entertainment, shopping, residential, and employment centre including airport.
   
• FLEXIBLE
  Easy & free interchange between buses, trains, and Devonport ferry
   
• COMFORTABLE
  Air-conditioned – modern – clean – quiet – fast - free wi-fi
   
• AFFORDABLE
  Lowest possible cost – more economical than private car

Over 80% of residents within the urban area bounded by Albany, Westgate, Henderson, Papakura, and Cockle Bay will be within a 5 minute walk to a SUPERMAXX service, 90% within a  15 minute walk.

Find out more about the SUPERMAXX benefits with examples and frequently asked questions.

Learn more about SUPERMAXX

SUPERMAXX Financials

AT's long term plan shows a budget for 2021/2022 with a deficit of $415 million, to be funded by NZTA and Auckland Council.
In comparison, SUPERMAXX would reduce this to less than $211 million.

A saving of $204 million per year!

View Financial Breakdown

SUPERMAXX Fare Comparison

Not only does SUPERMAXX save taxpayers huge sums, it also provides massive savings for commuters.

View Full Fare Comparisons

SUPERMAXX Network

One supercity zone Wellsford to Waiuku costing commuters only $75 for 30 days. With 13 major hubs, 15 mini hubs and 14 major connecting points, SUPERMAXX will make navigating Auckland easy and efficient. 

Find out more about:

• Inner city networks
• Ferry services
• Bus service
• Train Services
• Airport Services
• MINIMAXX - the transport hub to home and return

For the SUPERMAXX Network to work effiencently, there are an number of other concepts that need to be considered:

• Auckland CBD concept
• Auckland port relocation to Waimangu Point
• Cycling
• Walking
• Skycabs

SUPERMAXX Proposal

The first edition of SUPERMAXX was prepared in 2006 and presented in 2007 to Auckland Regional Council, Auckland Regional Transport Authority, and all Mayors and City Councillors in Auckland region, plus every central government politician. It has been updated and re-presented 6 times since. No one has proven my claims to be wrong.

This edition prepared 01 October 2021 to meet our covid ‘new reality’.

My request to Auckland Transport and politicians has always been to:

1. Prove that my claims are invalid OR
2. Come up with something better OR
3. Implement SUPERMAXX

They have done none of the above.

Auckland Council are now in deep financial trouble and have no idea how to get out of it.

Auckland Transport budget for public transport subsidies has blown out from $328.5 million in 2019/2020 to $415 million in 2021/2022. No changes have been made to address this by reducing costs and/or increasing revenue.

• Supermaxx decreases costs and increases revenue
• Supermaxx can be implemented within 6 months

The ongoing effects of Covid will continue to suppress patronage through changing work patterns, fewer people working in the inner city, and the desire for ‘bubble security’ by using private cars.

No amount of modelling can really show how much patronage will increase if Supermaxx is completely implemented providing:

• Much more interconnected and user-friendly network
• More frequent schedules
• Fares approximately halved for most commuters

However, I believe it will be substantial. 2022 will probably be much more difficult than 2021 and 2020 for many people.

It is imperative that we act now to provide the best possible public transport at the lowest possible cost in the shortest possible time.

To understand all the details of the SUPERMAXX solution:

View SUPERMAXX PDF