AHB Pathway Trust
12 Feb 2012

Media release: Aucklanders’ Support for SkyPath is sky high

Market research to forecast patronage on the proposed SkyPath across Auckland Harbour Bridge reveals high demand from Aucklanders for recreational trips. Horizon Research reported that over a million recreational trips could be expected to be taken by Aucklanders in the first year, and 450,000 to a million recreational trips per annum in subsequent years.

The results also show Aucklanders believe the proposed tolls are good value for money.

Summary of key results from the Horizon Research survey:

  • 81% of Aucklanders support the SkyPath on the AHB
  • 88% said they would use SkyPath in the first year. Assuming that only 20% of people act on their intentions, then over half a million recreational trips across SkyPath would be taken by Aucklanders in the first year. If 45% of people act on their intentions, then the patronage would be well over one million trips.
  • 84% of Aucklanders say they would use it at least annually in subsequent years
  • 84% said they would take out of town visitors to experience SkyPath
  • Over 50% thought the proposed $1.95 toll using a HOP card for a direct crossing (excludes access to observation decks/exhibits/etc.)represented fair value
  • Over 70% thought the $3.50 toll using a HOP card for full access was fair value.

Project Director Bevan Woodward says “While these numbers are really significant and show that there is likely to be more recreational users than the commuter and tourist numbers, we’re not surprised. The last comparable research was done by NZTA in 2008, which found that over 300,000 Aucklanders would attend a walk across the Auckland Harbour Bridge if it was opened for a single day. Hence it wasdeemed too popular to permit[1].”

The market research shows that there is sufficient patronage demand for SkyPath to make the business case work. Auckland Transport has commissioned Ernst & Young to review the business case for SkyPath. Their patronage forecast is as follows:

Low-use / High-use / Percentage return trips / Source
Recreational users / 254,508 / 572,646 / 67% / Ernst & Young
Tourists / 199,000 / 358,000 / 25% / ATEED
Commuters / 180,000 / 312,000 / 95% / Auckland Transport
Total per annum: / 633,508 / 1,242,646
Revenue p.a. / $3.25 M / $5.56 M / Ernst & Young

Mr Woodward says “We have confirmednew funding to allow us to get on with design work of SkyPath’s access ramps in consultation with stakeholders, research the consent issues,advance the engineering detailsand finalise funding arrangements for construction and operation.

“The grant gives us real confidence in the SkyPath project and recognises the work to date by key agencies such NZTA, Auckland Council, ATEED, Waterfront Auckland and Auckland Transport to SkyPath.”

On Feb 13, Auckland Council’s Transport Committee will decide whether to progress with its potential involvement in SkyPath. This is another critical juncture for the SkyPath project and presentations will be made on behalf of SkyPath by Bevan Woodward, Steven Proctor of Public Infrastructure Partnership (PIP) Fund and Alex Swney of Heart of the City; see:

The full report from Horizon Research is attached. Poll results issued Feb 2012. Sample of 1,083 residents living within Auckland Region. Margin of error at a 95% confidence level is +/- 3%

ENDS

Media contact:Pathway Images at

Bevan Woodward

AHB Pathway Trustee and Project Director

Mobile: 021 122 6040

Background notes

What about the next harbour crossing?

SkyPath is fully compatible with the next harbour crossing. “In our discussions with NZTA, it has been suggested that after the next harbour crossing is completed and it is possible to reduce the number of lanes for general traffic on the existing harbour bridge, then SkyPath can become a walking-only facility as a cyclists facility can be provided in place of a traffic lane on the harbour bridge's western clip-on.“

NZTA’s Stephen Town advises "NZTA has put any alternative plans for a walking and cycling facility across the Harbour Bridge on hold in favour of support for SkyPath, which is a feasible engineering solution."

Why doesn’t NZTA pay for SkyPath?

NZTA has recently invested $600,000 to prove the technical viability of SkyPath, however it is limited by the Minister of Transport’s Government Policy Statement to a maximum of $30 million on new walking and cycling projects nationwide per year. Unless NZTA chooses to spend all its annual walking and cycling budget for the country on one project, SkyPath’s $28 million construction cost cannot be funded by NZTA under current Government policy.

However NZTA is assisting by:

  • Including a $4m Path alongside the motorway to link SkyPath with Akoranga, Takapuna in its National Land Transport Programme 2012/15
  • Advising it may consider assisting with the strengthening works required for the Pathway that were not completed in the clip-on's strengthening project, subject to available funding

How is it proposed to fund SkyPath?

A social enterprise joint venture hasbeen proposed with the Public Infrastructure Partnership (PIP) Fund providing the construction funding. This will be repaid by a fare of $2.00 for a direct trip, or $3.50 to access the observation decks and exhibits, plus sponsorship income from the sale of naming rights.

The parties provide a partial underwrite of the toll revenue. In return,a portion of any revenue upside is shared amongst thestakeholders.

The proposed social enterprise joint venture will enable SkyPath to be implemented in the near future and deliver on the significant economic, social, and environmental benefits for the Auckland region.

[1] Geoff Dangerfield “Harbour Bridge Walk too popular too permit” 11 May 2009, NZ Herald