A new thread for this upcoming major project.

What should it be?

Overground or Underground?

Buses only or provision for Light Rail also?

Check this new extended W&M video out........there is more to it than the first one we seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzZD4eHW8-o&feature=related

A new thread for this upcoming major project.

What should it be?

Overground or Underground?

Buses only or provision for Light Rail also?

Overground for diesel buses - check out how obnoxious the Queen Street bus interchange in Brisbane is and they're mostly CNG buses too.

Definitely leave provision for light rail though - the light rail can be underground. :)

Interesting - when I was in Helskini last year, their magnificent underground bus interchange was fume free and really fresh. The bus we caught was a normal diesal I think, I'm not 100% sure.

What really struck me though was the good use of space both on top and underground which really helped with the CBD landscape and traffic.

Interesting - when I was in Helskini last year, their magnificent underground bus interchange was fume free and really fresh. The bus we caught was a normal diesal I think, I'm not 100% sure.

What really struck me though was the good use of space both on top and underground which really helped with the CBD landscape and traffic.

That's really interesting about Helsinki. I wonder how they managed to exhaust the fumes from the bus interchange as Kamppi is incredibly busy.

I know a couple of other international examples of buses being used in tunnels, however, the Silver line in Boston for example uses duel-power buses which run off electricity in the underground segments, much in the same way as the O-bahn used to in Essen to avoid generating diesel fumes underground.

Scientifically speaking, the idea of having people walk out into an area where diesel buses idle with their engines running would not be my personal preference due to the highly harmful particulate matter that diesel engines produce.

Svarty, you are now forcing me to put some pictures up.........photobucket, hear I come....hopefully these pictures might help ;)

Underground!!! But that doesnt mean that the new exchange has to be a man hole cover! Light rail, electric or tram is an absolute must for this place to last more than the 10 years the previous one did!

Unfortunately, thifty Jim plans to axe this project. He wants to redirect the money to more welfare handouts and installing sky tv in council flats!

Svarty, you are now forcing me to put some pictures up.........photobucket, hear I come....hopefully these pictures might help ;)

I look forward to seeing your photos! I know Kamppi square, but I didn't realise that the bus interchange used diesel buses underground. My bad! :)

Still, I stick by what I say about diesel buses based on my experience in Brisbane with CNG buses stuck in the Queen Street Bus Station. It was fine whilst you were in the hermetically sealed chamber waiting for the bus to arrive, but when you went out into the bus tunnel to step onto the bus, the fumes were choking.

Also, would it be possible for Mr KF to alter the poll to include the option "both underground and overground" as I believe there should be a tram interchange underground, but the buses should be relegated to above ground. :)

Given that the main reason for under-grounding as I understand it is because so many buses crossing the footpath is dangerous, and the extra cost of under-grounding, I do wonder if it would be better to build above ground, and close off the street and footpath. The bus exchange could be built over the street, stopping anybody from walking in front of the bus. The buses could enter traffic again from lights.

This could save $30million odd, which could be used for suburban interchanges. Thoughts?

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Helsinki%20Underground%20Bus%20Station/327-1.jpg?1283248565

Where is it??

More to come later today...I'm having a little difficulty with a very slow connection in getting the other pics uploaded.......I'll try once I've finished with a meeting I have to go too now...

It's in the middle, right underneath what I suspect is a white exhaust chimney for the bus fumes.

And you can see the entrance to it next to the white building on the right hand side.

To easy Davee. (Assuming I'm right and you haven't just picked a random photo and said there's an exchange there?)

It's in the middle, right underneath what I suspect is a white exhaust chimney for the bus fumes.

And you can see the entrance to it next to the white building on the right hand side.

To easy Davee. (Assuming I'm right and you haven't just picked a random photo and said there's an exchange there?)

Nice try frew - all the buildings in the front are historic and protected. The white chimney is one of the vents for the interchange which is underneath a lot, but not all of the open space. The enterance is to the right of the picture about mid shot amongst all the new builds - it is all linked to pedestrian walkways/out/inlets and shops and offices.

It's my picture - I took it from the outdoor area on the top of the hotel (Sokos) we were staying in.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Helsinki%20Underground%20Bus%20Station/282-1.jpg?1283274940
Going in...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Helsinki%20Underground%20Bus%20Station/283.jpg?1283276147
Looking back...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Helsinki%20Underground%20Bus%20Station/284-1.jpg?1283275146
Going down...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Helsinki%20Underground%20Bus%20Station/285-1.jpg?1283275205
And in/under...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Helsinki%20Underground%20Bus%20Station/287-1.jpg?1283275319

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Helsinki%20Underground%20Bus%20Station/288-1.jpg?1283276249

cool! Hmmm, im kinda thinking that underground is a bit excessive... i dunno how much is this project supposed to cost?

The Press

Christchurch's planned underground bus interchange would be canned if Jim Anderton wins the mayoralty but Bob Parker said it was a vital cog for the city, a transport mayoral debate heard this afternoon.

Both men agreed public transport needed resources and investment but differed on the best way to reduce congestion on busy roads.

About 60 people heard both men give 20-minute addresses on the issue at the event held at the Christchurch Art Gallery.

Anderton said more effort should go into improving bus services and leaving options like light rail open for debate in the longer term.

If elected mayor, Anderton said he would ask his council to scrap the underground bus interchange. Money saved by building one above ground would go towards creating smaller interchanges in the suburbs.

Parker said the underground facility provided safety for pedestrians and created a valuable open public space at ground level.

He also used the debate to further his push for more rail-based services.

Jeez that Anderton is so backward thinking. im afraid, very afraid!

Jeez that Anderton is so backward thinking. im afraid, very afraid!

Be afraid, ML, be very afraid......read this report from the guy who writes the CHC Transport Blog - he was at the meeting when Mr Parker and Anderton debated transport :ohno:

http://chchtransport.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/mayoral-transport-debate/#more-379

Be afraid, ML, be very afraid......read this report from the guy who writes the CHC Transport Blog - he was at the meeting when Mr Parker and Anderton debated transport :ohno:

http://chchtransport.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/mayoral-transport-debate/#more-379

Yargh, I thought Anderton would be better than he is turning out to be. He was a solid enough politician but as a potential mayor he seems very backwards.

That's really interesting about Helsinki. I wonder how they managed to exhaust the fumes from the bus interchange as Kamppi is incredibly busy.



Auckland manages to make Britomart a fume free experience, if we can do it I'm sure the Finns can be just as clever.

Auckland manages to make Britomart a fume free experience, if we can do it I'm sure the Finns can be just as clever.

Britomart is far from fume-free. Check out that lovely blue haze that hovers over the tracks when the diesel trains are in. It's the worst part about Britomart. You can smell it too.

The Press

Ratepayers have paid $2.5 million for the last site needed for Christchurch's new underground bus interchange.

In total, the city council has spent about $30m on eight sites for the $119m project.

The council paid $2.5m for the 397-square-metre Colombo St site, figures obtained by The Press show. The family trust-owned site had a $1.72m capital value during the boom period three years ago.

Council corporate services manager Paul Anderson said an independent valuation, commissioned by the council, valued the property at between $2.1m and $2.52m.

The council has applied to have the 11,836sqm site in Lichfield, Tuam and Colombo streets designated for a bus exchange. Once this was granted by the Environment Court, the council could apply for resource consent.

The council would borrow $71m, over 30 years, for project work, with the New Zealand Transport Agency contributing $48m.

Hopefully it can start soon

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/5357068/Science-centre-eyes-big-opportunity