Dave Hinman, of the City Council, says the exchange will bring bus travellers into the heart of the City Centre. It will have a carpark and there will be links to The Crossing, which includes Arthur Barnett, Ballantynes, House of Travel, City Mall and The Triangle Centre. Other speciality stores will follow.

The other main feature of development is improving Christchurch’s public transport system.

There will be a new ticketing system, electronic information telling passengers the exact time their buses will arrive, and a revised route and timetable system.

The Bus Exchange is even saving our past by preserving three heritage façades on Lichfield Street.