Buses are returning to a busy central Auckland street after years of City Rail Link construction that caused significant disruption to the area.

Auckland Transport (AT) announced today that Albert St is set to host about 900 new bus movements daily, from this Saturday, November 29.

The reopening will include new bus lanes, wider footpaths and native trees.

AT said many of the new frequent services will be electric and double-decker buses.

The reopened version of Albert St was created to be a traffic corridor, which will restore two-way access between Customs St West and Mayoral Drive, AT said.

This will also mean there will be a more direct route in and out of the city centre, as well as fewer buses on Queen St.

CRL disruption - ‘ridiculous number of cones’

The City Rail Link (CRL) construction and streetscape upgrades are nearing completion.

AT said 200,000 cubic metres of rock and dirt were removed from Albert St to build the new underground Te Waihorotiu Station and the twin tunnels that lie beneath it.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said reopening Albert St for buses is a step towards the opening of the “much-awaited” CRL.

Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

“We are starting to see real progress, and it’s good that after many years of putting up with a ridiculous number of cones on city streets, we might start to see fewer cones and more people,” Brown said.

“While the CRL is being built, council has also taken the opportunity to make other improvements in midtown, including upgrading infrastructure and public spaces.

“There are new private developments under way with further investment on the horizon.

“All this work will make it more attractive to come into the city,” he said.

A group of CRL workers were the first “passengers” on a trial drive along Albert St this morning. 

More direct route in and out of city

The return of buses to Albert St will mean there will be a more direct route in and out of the city centre.

Auckland Transport director of public transport and active modes, Stacey van der Putten, said better links between buses and trains were a key part of the plan for a well-connected public transport network before the CRL opening next year.

A group of CRL workers were the first “passengers” on a trial drive along Albert St this morning.  Photo / Auckland Transport

“Albert St will be at the heart of that.

“Te Waihorotiu is expected to become the busiest train station in Aotearoa, bringing people from across Auckland to a hub of jobs, entertainment, hospitality and culture – and to a seamless connection with frequent buses,” she said.

Some construction will still be visible as work continues on projects in downtown Auckland.

Chief executive of City Rail Link Patrick Brockie said he acknowledged some businesses in the area have done it tough over the past few years.

“Keeping roads and footpaths open during construction was a priority for us, as we set our sights on delivering something which will really help Auckland grow and prosper,” Brockie said.

Albert St is set to host about 900 bus movements daily, with many services being electric and double-decker from November 29. Photo / Auckland Transport

What bus routes are impacted?

Eight bus routes will use Albert St, including the Western Express (WX1), frequent services 11T, 11W and 18, as well as the 105, 106, 195 and 209​.

AT said these routes will also use Vincent St and Pitt St, which have recently been upgraded.