The first station completed as part of the Northwest Busway project \u2013 Westgate Station \u2013 has been delivered on time and under budget, bringing northwest Aucklanders a step closer to better, faster and more reliable public transport choices, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.<\/p>\n
The official opening of Westgate Station marks the first visible milestone in the broader Northwest Busway project, which will provide a dedicated rapid transit connection between Brigham Creek and Auckland city centre.<\/p>\n
\u201cWestgate is one of Auckland\u2019s fastest-growing urban areas, with significant residential and commercial development underway. By 2051, roughly 100,000 more people are expected to call the northwest home,\u201d Mr Bishop says.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs communities grow, our transport networks need to grow with them. Investing in modern and reliable transport infrastructure, like the Northwest Busway, is part of how the National-led Government is fixing the basics and building the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWestgate Station provides a high-quality public transport hub today and lays the foundation for a future rapid transit system that will connect people with jobs, education, and opportunities across Auckland, while freeing up space on State Highway 16 for freight and those who need to drive.<\/p>\n
\u201cReplacing temporary bus stops at Kedgley Road, the station will make it easier to transfer between local buses and express services to and from the city centre, improving the customer experience and supporting growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWestgate Station is expected to serve approximately 1,000 passenger journeys per day at opening, with usage forecast to grow to more than 13,000 passenger journeys per day by 2041.<\/p>\n
\u201cOriginally funded at $50 million, Westgate Station has been delivered on schedule and under budget. Around $19 million in forecast savings from the project will be redirected to help fund the Brigham Creek Station and park and ride, along with improvements for the Newton Road on and off ramps on the existing WX1 corridor along SH16.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great example of delivering infrastructure efficiently, ensuring taxpayers receive maximum value from every dollar invested. By completing the work under budget, we can accelerate further public transport improvements for Aucklanders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWestgate Station has also been designed to build on the success of Auckland Transport\u2019s Western Express (WX1) service, which has experienced high demand since its introduction \u2013 growing faster than the Northern Busway at launch.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince launching in November 2023, the WX1 service has gone from strength to strength, growing to more than 800,000 passenger trips in its first year of operation. It has exceeded forecasts by around 40 per cent, with over 1.1 million passenger trips recorded in the 12 months to May 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to acknowledge the work of the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), its delivery partners, and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFFCo), whose strong project delivery and financial management have achieved these savings while successfully delivering this important piece of infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
NZTA is continuing to progress the wider Northwest Busway. Applications for statutory approvals were lodged under the Fast-track Approvals Act in December 2025, with a decision from the expert panel expected in coming months. Enabling works are expected to begin for Brigham Creek Station in early 2027, with construction completed in early 2029.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Government has been clear and unapologetic about the priorities for public transport investment through the Government Policy Statement on land transport and the recently released Major Transport Projects Pipeline,\u201d Mr Bishop says.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday is an exciting step in the staged delivery of the wider Northwest Busway project and demonstrates our commitment to investing in practical and value for money infrastructure that delivers better transport choices.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce fully completed, the Northwest Busway will be a transformational piece of infrastructure for northwest Auckland, with the ability to move up to 9,000 passengers per hour in each direction, the equivalent of four motorway lanes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will also provide a reliable 25-minute journey time from Brigham Creek to Auckland city centre, supporting Auckland\u2019s continued growth and economic productivity for decades to come, and I look forward to further stages being delivered in the years ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says the new bus station will reap benefits for the North-West.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been a strong supporter of the Northwest busway as it provides people who live in the North-West faster, regular services and a strong alternative to the heavily congested North-Western motorway.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is clearly a demand for public transport in the North-West, given the success of the Western Express bus service launched using low-cost improvements, which aligns to my focus of getting things done better, cheaper, faster, to get Auckland moving.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pleased to see the bus station has been designed using standardised components with a better, cheaper, faster view of the costs and I\u2019m assured this is not another cathedral.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people out in the North-West deserve a busway free of traffic, serviced by high quality stations, and this provides a genuine rapid transit option that will make it easier for people to get to their destinations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate the government and council only have limited pots of money, so we need to prioritise the right projects to ensure we maximise the benefits for the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
Westgate Station is expected to open to passengers on Sunday 16 August, following final operational readiness activities led by Auckland Transport.<\/p>\n
Notes to editor:<\/p>\n
The Westgate Station project received $50m from National Infrastructure Funding and Finance (formerly infrastructure Reference Group fund) to enable advance delivery of the local portion of Westgate station.
\nThroughout delivery, the team actively identified efficiencies, challenged costs, and optimised design and construction approaches where appropriate, without compromising safety, customer outcomes or long-term performance. Competitive procurement and careful contract management also contributed to achieving savings.
\nThe station has been designed with weather-protected waiting areas, real-time passenger information, ticketing facilities, public toilets, improved walking and cycling access and safety features including lighting, CCTV and emergency help points.
\nThe wider Northwest Busway includes a park and ride station at Brigham Creek and stations at Westgate, Royal Road, Lincoln Road, Te Atat\u016b, Point Chevalier and Western Springs. You can find more information here: https:\/\/www.nzta.govt.nz\/projects\/northwest-busway-te-ara-hauauru<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The first station completed as part of the Northwest Bu 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