No time frame to have Christchurch bus exchange back up and running
By reporter Poppy Clark:
Christchurch’s intercity bus exchange is closed for a second day, and Environment Canterbury says it has “no time frame” for when it will be back up and running.
On Monday morning passengers were advised to get up earlier to catch their bus in time for the start of the working week.
Buses were using the Manchester St Super Stop as a temporary interchange location after technical difficulties caused the bus exchange in town to close.
With different routes having to be taken and times not being displayed, Watford said the Manchester St Super Stop was like waiting for a connecting flight at the airport, bus rider Kayleigh Watford said.
“If you miss your first one it means your second one is messed up."
Regular commuter Mina Morgan was confused and frustrated by the Manchester St Super Stop.
“Everybody is rushing, everybody is running, everybody is trying to get to work and on time without getting late.”
Morgan said he wanted more structure and organisation if the closure of the interchange was going to continue.
On its Facebook page, Metro Canterbury said the building had been “impacted by a technology outage”.
Environment Canterbury public transport general manager Stewart Gibbon said some scheduled maintenance by their supplier had caused an unexpected outage which affected the interchange.
“The technology system that manages bay allocation and bay door operations at the interchange is not functioning, meaning we are currently unable to operate the interchange effectively and safely,” he said.
“Our normal contingency for interchange unavailability has been put in place, meaning the Manchester St super stops are the designated central city bus stop until this issue is resolved. Route 17 customers should use the route’s stops on Hereford St.”
When asked when the bus exchange would reopen, regional council Environment Canterbury refused to be interviewed and instead said the Metro Canterbury Facebook page would be updated as news came to hand.
It said there was no time frame for the bus exchange to be operating again as normal.
City councillor for Central Ward Jake McLellan said the closure was “frustrating and disappointing”.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
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