Anthony CROSS

Biographical note
Anthony Cross is Network Development Manager with AT Metro, the public transport operating arm of Auckland Transport.  He is the longest-serving public transport professional in New Zealand local government.  He entered the profession in 1986 after qualifying as a land-use planner, but has subsequently been responsible for network planning and service design in both Wellington and Auckland, as well as having key roles in strategic planning and policy advice, contracting and procurement reform, fare product design, infrastructure planning, operational implementation, customer information and wayfinding, transit-related urban design, stakeholder engagement and community consultation, public transport “101” training for colleagues and elected member relationship management.

Presentation: Auckland’s New Network – an inclusive approach
Auckland is a rapidly growing and highly diverse city of 1.4 million residents which is experiencing rapid public transport growth as a result of heavy investment in infrastructure and services, after decades of poor levels of service, declining patronage and high levels of car dependency.  The city is implementing a complete restructure of its bus network around the principles of simplicity, frequency and connectivity, to complement rail electrification, the construction of a major busway, and fares reform which has lowered fares for many journeys.  The first stage of the New Network was implemented in relatively deprived South Auckland in late 2016, with higher levels of frequent service and improved access to jobs both locally and in other parts of Auckland.  Auckland Transport carried out both strategic and detailed consultation on its planned network changes, and extensive engagement with multiple stakeholders and communities prior to and during the implementation phase.  These included targeted engagements with ethnic, youth and seniors communities.  The New Network has shown immediate growth in patronage and has improved access to jobs within South Auckland as well as other parts of the city.