In the city on holiday, Laurel Higgison (pictured) was using the shuttle for the first time to see if her mother would like to use it when she, too, visited Christchurch.

Outside the Smith City Ltd Colombo Street store, Laurel was nabbed as the lucky passenger and taken inside to receive a $1000 Aiwa mini stereo system from Smith City general manager Martin Simcock. Red Bus Ltd chief executive Greg Campbell was there with Council City

Streets’ staff to find the one- millionth passenger. The free shuttle service started in December 1998 with bright yellow futuristic buses. Today it runs around part of the central city, from Moorhouse Avenue in the south to Armagh Street in the north.

Laurel said the prize flabbergasted her, as she had not won anything before. "I have an old stereo at home but this one is wonderful. I will have to go on the shuttle every day from now on."

For more information contact Nicky Halligan, Big Red marketing coordinator, on 379 4260.