Auckland public transport use hits a high 

Source: ONE News

Auckland public transport users are happier with the service and using it in greater numbers.

Annual figures showed 58.6 million trips were made in the year to June, 7.7% higher than the previous year.

It means public transport use is higher than any time since the mid 1980s, when 60.69 million trips were made, The New Zealand Herald reported.

Rail use is up to 7.6 million trips, higher than any year since records began to be kept in 1955.

There has also been a 150% growth in two years on the Northern Express to 1.5 million trips since the introduction of the North Shore busway.

There were 2.3 million trips taken by senior citizens taking advantage of free off-peak trips using the Super Gold card in the first half of 2009.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee said it was hoped Auckland's public transport network could handle 100 million trips within 10 years.

The figures come shortly after the planned regional fuel tax to fund further public transport development was canned by the government.

It has also prioritised new road projects such as the Newmarket Viaduct upgrade and Victoria Park Tunnel and the Western Ring Route.