North Shore bus commuters could face more trouble today after the launch of a new network left some frustrated and late.
Photos posted on social media show a line of buses backed up as they enter the Constellation Drive station yesterday afternoon.
One Twitter user said the queue of buses went all the way from Sunnynook, about 2km away.
Auckland Transport's Group Manager Metro Service Delivery Stacey Van Der Putten told Morning Report congestion at one particular station had a run-on effect.
"Of course it's day one, so this is going to take some time to bed-in."
Auckland Transport is looking at options for reducing congestion this afternoon, she said.
"We need to take into consideration, it's day one, it's a new network roll-out, it's a different route and you've also got a great deal of new bus drivers who are getting used to those as well."
She said some changes can be done today and some will take a few days.
Auckland Transport spokesperson James Ireland said some teething issues with the new bus network were to be expected.
"Essentially we had too many buses arriving at Constellation station at once," he said.
It was the first business day that the new bus network has been in operation.
Mr Ireland said bus drivers and passengers who were still coming to grips with the new routes may have contributed to the delays.
Auckland Transport was looking at re-jigging timetables to address the issue.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as the roll out of North New Network continues this week. A few reminders:
— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) September 30, 2018
• Please allow extra time for your journey
• Our AT Mobile app displays new bus stops and routes
• AT ambassadors will be at busy bus stops to assist you pic.twitter.com/TIUkx8f5ov
Many social media users took to Twitter to vent their frustrations about the new network.
So... @AklTransport how did the Northern busway changes pan out then? That Constellation Drive ‘approach’ is a bit of a cluster f**k isn’t it? Did you plan any of this before inflicting this on the public? #FollowingWellington #TakeMyCarTomorrow #YouShouldBeEmbarrassed #facepalm
— Mungbean (@mungbeennz) October 1, 2018
Constellation Drive may need a hand this evening... @nzherald pic.twitter.com/jcY5akudXe
— Mike Shaw (@MrMikeShaw) October 1, 2018
@AklTransport is there a reason why there's a queue of buses on the Northern Busway heading into Constellation Station?
— Jessica Marshall (@jm64892) October 1, 2018
Constellation Bus Station at 5.30ish today pic.twitter.com/Hrf9A8PeNX
— Gysbert Holl (@berty_boy_nz) October 1, 2018
Absolute chaos at Constellation station with the changes to Northshore bus routes as buses have to take a full turn before they can drop off. Wow 20 minuets in constellation and we’re not even moving #busforshore
— Ali Seyfoddin (@AliSeyfoddin) October 1, 2018
Isn't this a more of a byproduct of the incomplete busway though? From the looks of it, the bottleneck is all the buses trying to turn onto Constellation Dr backing into the station, which traps the inbound services and stacks the outbound services.
— Aaron (@Fire_spin222) October 1, 2018
@AklTransport ... constellation station is a bit messy with that new timetable. pic.twitter.com/ZhMCrRyciu
— nzruss (@nzruss) October 1, 2018
@AklTransport constellation station is total caos. #totalnonsense buses going around the station twice. Stuck 30min on #bustrafficjam
— Daiana (@la_dai_ana) October 1, 2018
Well done @AklTransport you have successfully turned Constellation Bus station into a parking lot of busses - 15 mins and counting just to get in and around!!! Poor planning at its best pic.twitter.com/f3U7nG1rRV
— Celesté (@CelesteHouwniet) October 1, 2018
The news follows the network shambles Wellington bus commuters faced with delays, full buses, or no buses turning up after a Wairarapa bus company took over the contract for half of the city's bus routes in July.
