Wellesley Street Bus Improvements

About the project

Transforming Wellesley Street for a better-connected city centre

With the opening of Te Waihorotiu Station, Wellesley Street will become a key transport hub, connecting high-frequency buses, trains, and walking and cycling routes. This project is part of Auckland Transport’s plan to create a safer, greener, and better-connected city centre for everyone.

What's happening

Auckland Transport is upgrading Wellesley Street to prioritise public transport, pedestrians, and cycling, making it easier to move around midtown. The improvements will make Wellesley Street a thriving transport corridor and a more inviting public space.

This work includes:

• New bus shelters and wider footpaths
• Improved pedestrian crossings and loading zone
• New paving, seating, and street lighting 
• Amenities in public spaces around the new station

These improvements are for the full length of Wellesley Street between Victoria Park and Grafton Gully, and will make connecting to the Learning Quarter, Te Waihorotiu Station, the New Zealand International Convention Centre and Victoria Quarter much easier.

The section between Albert Street and Queen Street will be delivered first as stage 1, with stage 2 - Albert Street to Victoria Park - and stage 3 - Queen Street to the Learning Quarter - to follow in future years.

Why are we doing this work?

Tāmaki Makaurau is growing, and Wellesley Street plays a vital role in the future of the city centre. With thousands of people set to enter and exit Te Waihorotiu Station each day, this area needs to be a safe, efficient, and welcoming space for everyone—whether they’re walking, taking public transport, or spending time in the area.

The City Centre Masterplan 2020 identifies Wellesley Street as a key east-west bus route. The street also connects the Learning Quarter, city centre destinations, and Victoria Quarter, making it a critical part of Auckland’s transport network.

These improvements will create faster, more reliable public transport connections, making it easier to access the Queen Street Valley, Aotea Arts Precinct, and Learning Quarter. Investing in Wellesley Street supports economic growth and ensures the city centre remains a thriving, connected, and accessible place for Aucklanders and visitors alike.

When this project is complete, the benefits will be obvious.

When the upgrades are complete, you’ll have wider footpaths and a better pedestrian crossing between Bledisloe Lane and Elliott Street, making it easier to walk through the area.

If you’re catching a bus, you’ll benefit from new bus stops, improved road layout, and priority for buses, leading to faster and more reliable journeys. The project will also support turn-up-and-go services, so you won’t have to wait long for your ride.

The streetscape will feel safer and more welcoming with new paving, road surfacing, street furniture, and lighting. These changes will help create a more accessible and inviting space for everyone.

Looking ahead, a new separated cycleway (planned for Stage 3) will connect Queen Street to the Learning Quarter, linking the Waihorotiu Path, the Learning Quarter, and Grafton Gully—making it easier to get around the city by bike.

What’s involved

We recognise that the work to regenerate midtown can’t be done without some disruption. We're working to reduce the impact on you as much as we can.

We’re coordinating with other council projects and utility companies to futureproof the city, so the work we do now supports future growth. This approach adds complexity in the short term but should prevent major disruptions down the track.

For more information on construction and how you can get support if you're impacted, visit our midtown neighbourhood page.

How the work will be done

Work on the Wellesley Street bus corridor will be in stages.

• Stage 1 (now underway): Albert Street to Queen Street.
  • This work supports the opening of Te Waihorotiu Station, expected to be New Zealand’s busiest train station.
• Stage 2: Victoria Street to Albert Park, including the Victoria Park bus turnaround and Beaumont Street layover.
  
  
• Stage 3: Queen Street to the Learning Quarter, completing key cycling and bus connections.

We’ll share updates on timeframes for stages two and three as soon as they’re confirmed.

Partnering with mana whenua

We are partnering with mana whenua (Māori tribal groups who have historical and territorial rights over this area) on this project. In particular, mana whenua are guiding us and developing artwork design features that will be incorporated in the improvements being delivered by this project.

Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu) and Ted Ngatakai (Ngati Tamaoho) are undertaking design mahi for the project including artistic design work for bus shelters and the pavement.

Wellesley Street Bus Improvement Project - Design Features

The following features are included in the design for Wellesley Street:

Buses

• Providing high-quality bus stops, making it even easier to get on and off a bus and a nicer place to wait for a bus. They’ll be positioned to give people walking down the street more room.

• Continuous kerbside bus lanes are proposed along the entire length of Wellesley Street from Victoria Street to Princes Street (2.2 kms). This will enable AT to provide faster and more frequent services as per the City Centre Bus Plan, which will really improve your bus journey time and reliability.

• A Victoria Park turnaround and Beaumont Street layover are proposed to support the bus operational requirements for Wellesley Street.

Walking, cycling and micro-mobility (scooters)

• A more pleasant and safer experience for people walking along Wellesley Street with wider footpaths, fewer obstructions, smoother surfaces, and raised safety platforms for people to use when crossing side streets.

• A new separated cycleway facility extending from Queen Street to Princes Street is proposed in stage 3. This will address a critical missing link in the city centre cycle network, especially for staff and students going to and from the Learning Quarter.

• We’re planning to improve the road layout to increase space for pedestrians and reduce street crossing distances.

Improvements to the surrounding environment

• In stages 2 and 3, the street will be made more pleasant with street greening and planting.

• We’re also planning a complete road reconstruction along Wellesley Street. This will look great but even more importantly, will support our bus fleet as we move to more sustainable, but heavier, electric buses.

 

Dates

Construction of Stage 1, between Albert Street and Queen Street, is underway.

Further Information

You can read more about the changes to Wellesley Street here and on OurAuckland.

Or check out Auckland Transport’s project page to learn more about how other projects are supporting and enhancing the transformational City Rail Link.

Delivered by

Auckland Transport

Feedback

Public engagement on the design and integration of Stage 1 - the public space surrounding the station is was sought in October/November 2021.