Britomart turns five

Deputy Mayor Hay, Mr. Cooper and Mayor Hon. Banks.

Celebrating 5 successful years: Train patronage has risen 130 per cent within the last four years.

From City Scene, published on 10 August, 2008

Deputy Mayor David Hay and Peter Cooper of Cooper and Company helped Mayor Hon. John Banks cut the cake at Britomart's fifth birthday this week.

The $211 million transport centre was built to move trains closer to the CBD and encourage more people in Auckland to use public transport. And it's worked. Since becoming operational five years ago, Britomart has helped increase the number of people using buses and trains. Train patronage alone has risen 130 per cent within the last four years.

The Britomart Precinct is also the centre of a new development that will look at more than transport. Over the next 11 years, 17 heritage buildings will be renovated and six new buildings will be built to incorporate a variety of retail, lifestyle, commercial and residential uses on the 5.2-hectare site. This $350 million development will create a vibrant, multi-purpose environment for commuters, shoppers, tourists, and inner city and suburban residents, right in the heart of downtown Auckland.