3 March 2000

Bus Exchange At The Crossing

Christchurch’s Mayor Garry Moore named the partly built bus terminal in Lichfield Street as the Bus Exchange at The Crossing last night.

He told a gathering of about 100 inner-city retailers and others associated with the area and the project that the naming was a significant milestone in the development of the project.

The project had been made possible by a partnership of the Carter Group, the Canterbury Regional Council, and the City Council, he said.

"When it comes to innovative ideas such as cross-sector partnerships Christchurch and Canterbury are again leading the way. This particular partnership cuts across the traditional tensions between local and regional government and also gives a crucial role to the private sector," Mr Moore said.

Sometimes local and regional government were rather squabble-prone neighbours but "behind the scenes we do get together on a number of issues. Both of us have agreed that in the case of public transport the time was ripe to stop talking about the importance of vital, functioning public transport and to move on to bold, innovative action," he said.

He thought it was important that the city was put back on track as the core of the city.

"With the location for the bus exchange we have put together two key goals for Christchurch: centre-city revival and putting public transport back into its rightful role," Mr Moore said.

NB: A model of the bus exchange is available for photographs by contacting City Council assistant transportation planner Stephanie Styles: 941 8292.