$24 million has been spent so far on land for Christchurch’s new transport interchange, with negotiations still progressing on a final parcel of land. I notice the media can’t seem to put anything related towards public transport in CHristchurch in a positive light. Probably due to this years election, but I do have to wonder sometimes.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) would contribute $48m towards the underground transport interchange, with the council borrowing $71m over 30 years to fund its share. The NZTA would only fund its share of an above-ground facility.
Passenger numbers have grown 47 per cent in the past seven years with up to 19,000 people travelling by bus daily. That number is expected to rise 21 per cent this year.
Marryatt said one of the most compelling arguments for a new exchange was safety. “Currently, during peak hour, one bus crosses the footpath, in and out of the exchange, every nine seconds. By 2041, this will increase to one bus every five seconds.”
Here is a flyover of part of the planned new transport interchange. It’s not much, but in my mind its very… wow! I do hope this does not get scuttled. In my view it gives us a great base to start revolutionising our public transport from. If we cut it down, we will just find ourselves having to replace it again in another 15 years. Enjoy.
marsoe
Christchurch Transport Blog 
marsoe
August 10, 2010
While it’s cool, I’m not interested in what the ceiling looks like (and personally, I think it should be developed-over like the current exchange. Put a food court in the level above, and offices or residences on the next couple of floors).
What I am interested in is the underground entrances for the buses – as this is the key issue for the design of the interchange. Also, the underground buses mean trams can access the interchange at street-level, so it’d nice to see that in the video.
jhumm
August 10, 2010
Yeah, i think generally speaking the video is pretty crap. However its good to actually see something that gives an idea of whats going on. There has been so little public information about it in terms of how it might look and so on. Shame there isnt more detail, hopefully there is more to come.
I quite like the glass ceiling myself, lets in lots of light and makes it seem a bit more open than if it were completely built over. Having said that, I would still like to see some of it built over, for the reasons you mention.
It would have been nice to see a bit more, perhaps a cardboard bus going down a ramp and letting people off/on at one of the platforms. Maybe a view of people getting ready to board a bus in the waiting area. As you say, these are the key issues.
Various sources (including the mayor) have mentioned it will be future proofed for light-rail. What that quite means I don’t know, it could mean tram stops at street-level or it could mean a below ground space reserved for trams or even rail (probably dreaming there). In anycase, including an image in the video of a modern LRV or train rocking on in would have been a master touch!
bismarck
August 10, 2010
Overall based on what little you get out of the video, I think this will be an awesome facility if it gets built. Since the exchange is underground, I would like to think that there will be access to it from underground from the other side of adjoining streets. For example, by Ballantynes (or even inside it), an escalator could be built and a tunnel under the street linking to the exchange.
If we want this to be built, we need to ensure that Bob remains Mayor. No disrespect to Uncle Jim, but if he gets in, he’ll downsize it and it will cost ratepayers much more in another 10-15 years time when we need to spend more expanding it again. Note that by this time, Jim will likely be 6 foot under!
Time for retirement Jim don’t you think?
jhumm
August 10, 2010
I certainly think it is essential that this project does not get downsized at all. Its going to be well used from the get go let alone the forecast growth, so it definately won’t be a white elephant project.
Regarding pedestrian access to the interchange, I think its essential to have a good pedestrian route through to Cashel Mall. Underground would be best. There is also a laneway from Lichfield to Cashel St that could be developed as part of that.
Brisol
August 15, 2010
Exciting prospect, not to sure of what to make of it though, seems to be sitting in the middle of no where in terms of…how the hell do i get anywhere and not get soaked if its raining? solution, people go underground to get to key points, but doesnt this reduce foot traffic and prospective customers for business enroute to key desintations? probably trivial but i wish people would think about things like that in this town… case and point being a stadium that isnt suited for typical weather during its main time of usage.
anyway
would like to see:
1) retail and commercial use along with transport
2) something here to address the extreme lack of car parking in the CBD
3) covered walkways
4) tram linking to light rail?
5) something that looks better than single story house
marsoe
August 15, 2010
(updated the video)
Yeah, it certainly does look very isolated in that position. I agree about the cover for pedestrians, it doesn’t seem nearly as pedestrian-friendly as the current one. Perhaps its a quirk of New Zealand architecture and design that we build for hot, dry summers, when actually it’s a pretty wet, cold country. If you’re going to design a building especially for pedestrians and cyclists, you could at least make the experience a comfortable one.
I’m less concerned about parking. If you’re taking the bus into town, central city parking isn’t an issue. There does need to be something done about the ever-increasing tracts of land wasted on parking outside of 4 Avenues, perhaps pricing it to make buses more attractive.
jhumm
August 15, 2010
I don’t really think there is a lack of car parking in the CBD, in fact quite the opposite really. Compared to other cities Christchurch does seem to have an abundance.
It looks like there is a covered walkway from Colombo Street to the entrance/glass house. Its hard to tell in the video how substantial it is though.
I dont mind the idea of the urban park surrounding the entrance, but there is a danger of it becoming a Latimer Sq type place if they aren’t careful, with the interchange isolated in the middle of it. It looks like at the extreme east and west ends of the block there will be other buildings so will be interesting to see how they fit in.
However, we still havent seen much, despite the extended video, so I am still reserving my judgment for now.