MEDIA RELEASE

TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND DUNEDIN REGIONAL OFFICE

21 August 2007

Milford Road information kiosk open day

Transit New Zealand's new information kiosk on Milford Road on State Highway 94 will be open to the public on Thursday 23 August between 11.30am and 2pm.

The open day for the kiosk, located 8.5 km north of Te Anau, is a good opportunity for tourism operators, road users and anyone interested to visit the site and find out more about the new facility that has just come into operation.

"Local community and tourism operators have known about this kiosk for a while and we now want to give them a chance to come and have a look at it and ask any questions they might have," Transit regional networks operations manager Murray Clarke says.

He said the kiosk was part of Transit's continuous effort of making the Milford Road experience safe and enjoyable all year round.

"We want to make sure road users are fully prepared for driving on this road in winter conditions," Murray Clarke says.

The kiosk, managed by Transit's contractor Downer EDI Works, will initially be operating only in winter when vehicles travelling the Milford Road need to be fitted with chains. This is usually around 20 days a year between June and November.

Kiosk staff will ensure that visitors and drivers who are unfamiliar with the area get the right information on how to drive safely in winter. Staff will check that road users are carrying the rights chains and can fit them correctly.

"During wintertime, driving on the Milford Road can be extremely challenging as the weather can change rapidly. The road can often be covered in snow and ice, and there is a risk of avalanches.

"By ensuring that road users are fully prepared for driving the route, the new kiosk will help keep the road open," Murray Clarke says.

The kiosk has two lanes, with one of them being only for accredited drivers who completed the Bus and Coach Association Programme to improve bus safety on the Milford Road.

During the first year of operation, Transit will be together with Downer EDI Works fine tuning the operation of the kiosk to make sure people find the service useful and can get through the kiosk in a timely fashion.

Transit and Downer EDI Works staff will be at the information kiosk site during the open day and will be happy to listen to visitors' comments or suggestions. A simple BBQ lunch will also be provided.
ENDS

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