TRAFFIC CENTRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1936, Page 15

TRAFFIC CENTRE.

OLD STATION SITE. DETAILS OF THE LAY-OUT. PROVISION FOR SERVICES. Details of the proposed lay-out of the municipal transport centre at the old railway station site were given by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, in his financial report to the Auckland City Council last evening. ,• - " "Since legislation was passed considerable progress with the scheme has been made," said Mr. Davis. "A plan for the lay-out of the area has been prepared by the city; engineer, after consultation with Mr. K. W. Aimer architect, who was appointed to act as consultant in the preparation of the scheme of transport terminal facilities. Provision is also made in the plan for the parking of private motor cars. The plan itself is the result of the application of data collected from questionnaires and surveys. Some 450 buses and 51 service cars are .dispatched from the city daily. The former handle daily 14,400 passengers, and the latter 500 passengers. Provision is made for the construction 'at the western extremity of the site, fronting Commerce Street extension, of a station building to accommodate oflices for the various transport services and public facilities, such as waiting roomj, cafeteria, shops and conveniences. Also there will be a roofed platform, incorporating 20 loading docks, of which 21 are to be allocated to bus services aiul eight to service cars. All services will be routed so as to give entrance to the station by utilising the existing concrete road off Britomart place. After discharging and loading, the western and eastern services will be dispatched by way of the northern end of Commerce Street, and the other services will-return and gain egress by the way they entered, thus avoiding Commerce Street and Customs Street. Beside the loading docks, space is also provided for the simultaneous parking of 11 buses. Efficient Operation. "The design and general lay-out are governed by such considerations as the safety and convenience of the travelling public, and the safety, convenience and efficient operation of transport vehicles," continued the Mayor. '."The initial development covers about two-thirds of the site, and the remainder of the area, which will be reserved for future extensions, will, for the meantime, be used for the parking of motor cars, of which it will accommodate about 250. The cost of the improvements is estimated at £30,240, and with the inclusion of the annual cost to the council of the land, it is estimated that a charge of 6d per round trip for buses, 1/1 per round trip for service cars, and Gd for the parking of cars, will cover the commitments. Working plans and specifications are now being prepared for submission to the special sub-committee which is handling the matter, and for subsequent presentation to the council. The city engineer also is proceeding with the preparation of the parking area, with a view to expediting its utilisation for the relief of the present congestion."