Free Buses Ease Travel on Whangarei’s Big Day

Northland Regional Council is coming to the party, and it’s getting you there, too.

Whangarei’s CityLink public buses – provided by the Northland Regional Council through operator Ritchies Transport Holdings Ltd – will be free of charge on 1 November for Whangarei’s big day, with the 50th anniversary Grand Parade and Town Basin Party in the morning and the Four Nations rugby league game between the New Zealand Kiwis and Toa Samoa at Toll Stadium in the afternoon.

“The Northland Regional Council is pleased to support Whangarei’s day of celebrations, particularly in view of the fact that the two councils share a large number of ratepayers,” says Regional Council chairman, Bill Shepherd.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai says that with large numbers of people arriving in town by bus rather than car, traffic will be reduced and carparks freed up on what is shaping up to be a huge day for Whangarei.

The normal Saturday bus timetable – which can be viewed on www.citylinkwhangarei.co.nz – will run throughout the day, with additional services for the events.

“I suggest residents catch earlier buses rather than leaving it to the last minute,” Mayor Mai says.

“Seats on the buses are limited, although passengers will be asked to fold down prams and strollers if the buses get full.”

The Rose St bus terminus will be closed for the duration of the Parade which comprises 68 floats and 135 vehicles and travels the length of Walton St from west to east, starting at 10am.

“With so much activity in the Rose St area in the morning, buses will be arriving and departing from a coned off area by the Intercity stop in Lower Bank Street instead,” Mayor Mai says.

An enhanced bus service will also help get rugby league fans to the Four Nations match between the New Zealand Kiwis and Toa Samoa in the afternoon. One additional bus per route will leave the Rose Street terminus between 2.15pm and 2.30pm to arrive at a special drop off zone in front of Toll Stadium well before the start of the game at 4.00pm.

Once the match has finished, all six buses will depart from the Stadium around 6.00pm, returning to make another trip if necessary. More details on these bus services can also be found at www.citylinkwhangarei.co.nz.

“I encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of these free bus services,” Mayor Mai says.

“This is going to be a fantastic day for Whangarei City, and full buses rather than full roads will make it even better.”

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