Guest blog by David Millington – CAA was contacted by David who wants to run a cycle shuttle service on the Busway and across the Harbour Bridge to downtown Auckland. He knows our focus is getting the Skypath built, up and running asap to serve the thousands of Aucklanders who want it passionately. David is keen to learn if there is public demand for a shuttle service for the interim. Here’s his story –
I’m a resident of Devonport and a keen trail rider. I have a business idea that would involve shuttling cyclists from the North Shore to the City and back. The service would pick-up from the Akoranga Drive Bus Station, using an 11 seater van and trailer to shuttle commuter cyclists to WestHaven, using the Bus lane.
A one-way trip would take around 6 minutes, delivering you to the Pt Erin Reserve Car Park and picking up Shore- bound cyclists back to the Akoranga Drive Bus Station. A one-way trip will cost $5.00, making it comparable with the Ferry.
The trailer I intend to use would be designed to allow the cyclist to place their bike in a rack, so there does not need to be any removal of bike wheels (or shoes). This will allow it to be a very fast, efficient and simple process.
The morning service would start at 6.30am from Akoranga Drive Bus Station and run continuously, with the last service leaving Akoranga at 9.00am. Each round trip will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The afternoon service will resume at 4.30pm from Pt Erin Reserve Car Park, running continuously until 6.30pm. If demand grows commuting service hours will be extended, with the possibility of extra vans being put on and a weekend service for recreational riders.
The number of cyclists wanting to commute from North Shore to the city and vice-versa is on the increase, based on the Ferry traffic, therefore I feel this service could open up cycling for people who live in Takapuna and up the Bays. Also for the increased number of workers commuting from the City side to the NorthShore.
The cyclists I have spoken to who live on the Shore and work over in the City think this idea has legs (or excuse the pun wheels!!) if there is anyone out there who has an opinion or idea, I would be interested in hearing from you. nuklear@xtra.co.nz
