In 2010, the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA, now Auckland Transport) commissioned a survey to examine if an 800 metre radius from Papatoetoe train station was representative of the walking distance for rail passengers. The findings from the Papatoetoe survey showed that the median walking distance to the train station was 1200 metres rather than the assumed 800 metres. Based on the survey findings, Auckland Council‟s Research, Investigations and Monitoring Unit sought to test for more evidence if an 800 metre radius walkable catchment area was representative of the walking distance for other train stations in Auckland.

Using a similar research methodology as the Papatoetoe train station survey, passengers arriving at New Lynn, Glen Innes and Mt Albert train stations were surveyed in March 2012.

The results of the three train station surveys show that:

• more than 50 per cent of respondents walked further than 800 metres to get to a train station;
• more than 15 per cent of respondents walked further than 1500 metres to get to a train station; and
• walking is the most significant mode of travel for trips less than 2000 metres.

Overall, the results from the surveys show that an 800 metre radius underestimates the actual walking distance for the New Lynn, Glen Innes and Mt

Albert train stations and is not representative of their walkable catchment areas.

Based on these findings, it is recommended that:

• Further surveys be carried out to test for more evidence if an 800 metre radius is representative of the walkable catchment area of other train stations in Auckland; and
• The data collected in the surveys is used to develop a typology of walkable catchments for train stations in Auckland.

Auckland Council technical report, TR2012/023

August 2012