North-West Rapid Transit project fast-tracked

The North-West Rapid Transit project, a major new rapid bus transit route alongside State Highway 16 in Auckland, has been granted fast-track approval, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. This is the 33rd project approved through the Fast-track process. The project includes a busway alongside State Highway 16 between Brigham Creek and Auckland City Centre, seven rapid transit stations and one Park and Ride facility at Brigham Creek Rarawaru. It will also include connections to the local bus and road network. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) lodged its application in December 2025, with approval taking less than five months from the appointment of the independent expert panel. “This project will provide faster, more frequent and reliable public transport for Aucklanders living in the north-west, one of the city’s fastest-growing areas,” Mr Bishop says. “By 2051, roughly 100,000 more people are expected to call the north-west home. Once completed, the project will have the ability to move up to 9,000 passengers per hour in each direction and provide a reliable 25-minute journey from Brigham Creek to Auckland City Centre. “The recently opened Westgate Station has been de