Locals in Millwater may soon see new bus shelters on Bankside Road, as Auckland Transport (AT) has begun investigating the addition of shelters at two stops.

The stops, located at 4553 and 4546, currently lack protection from the elements, leaving commuters, including school children, vulnerable to the weather.

Coasties are no strangers to sudden downpours, and without bus shelters, residents waiting for public transport risk being caught in the rain.

Many areas on the Hibiscus Coast have few, if any, covered bus stops, raising questions about the fairness of shelter distribution across the region.

For instance, on Arran Drive in Millwater, there are four bus shelters within a few hundred metres of each other, while Bankside Road has none.

Auckland Transport responded to enquiries from the Hibiscus Coast App, confirming that they are conducting a detailed investigation this financial year to assess the feasibility of installing shelters at the Bankside Road stops.

According to AT’s email, the process includes design, internal and external consultations, which could take 6-8 months.

Following that, construction may require an additional 3-4 months, depending on contractor availability and weather conditions.

AT is expected to provide further updates in 2025 on the project’s progress.