14 September 2011

Newmarket to provide free bus service during RWC

Newmarket Business Association CEO Ashley Church has announced plans to provide a free Visitor bus service in the wake of transport problems associated with the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup.

Passengers and visitors were left stranded as the cities transport system broke down on Friday evening in the face of larger than anticipated crowds in what Mr Church has described as ‘an entirely avoidable debacle’.

Mr Church, who has been a vocal critic of the lack of plans to get well-to-do international visitors into high-end shopping centres, such as Newmarket, says the economic flow-on effects of the Cup are simply too important to Newmarket to entrust to the vagaries of Auckland Transport.

“There’s just too much at stake to get this wrong – so we’ve decided to take matters into our own hands”.

Mr Church says that the free Visitor bus, which will commence service on the 27th of September and will run on a 2 hourly circuit until the conclusion of the tournament, will run between Newmarket, the Museum, and the cities upmarket hotels 5 times a day.

“It’s absolutely crucial that international visitors leave the country with a positive impression of high-end shopping in Auckland – which means making sure we get them into Newmarket to see retail in New Zealand at its best. If we don’t get this right – we won’t get a second chance”.

Mr Church says that the Association is working with Hotels and Concierges to ensure that visitors are aware of the service and are provided with a seamless experience.

He also says that he hopes Aucklanders will be proud of the bus which is sporting an ‘iconic’ fashion related theme featuring models, tigers and rugby players.

“The visual effect is stunning. It’ll stop people in the street”.

ENDS

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