Media release for immediate use 25 June 2010
Totalspan Has Kids Covered With 100 More Bus Shelters
The Totalspan Undercover Kids Bus Shelter Programme has announced it will this year give another 100 bus shelters to
schools with rural bus routes.
Totalspan has established this significant programme aimed at protecting children as they wait for buses on rural school
routes. The programme, now in its third year, is a long term initiative with almost 200 shelters already in place or
under construction across New Zealand.
Leon Skylakis from Totalspan says the company is thrilled to be involved in such a worthwhile programme for our
children.
“Many parents and communities worry about children waiting by the side of busy roads for their bus,” he says. “Often bus
stops are no more than a slightly wider section of roadside with no protection from the weather.
“The Undercover Kids Bus Shelter Programme helps reduce the risk to our children by providing a safe location for them
to wait for their bus.
“This year we again received a large number of applications and are delighted to announce we are giving 100 more bus
shelters to New Zealand schools’ rural bus routes. It gives our team great pleasure to contribute towards keeping our
children safe,” he says.
Each shelter is valued at around $2,000 and Totalspan plans to supply many more shelters to rural bus routes in 2011 and
thereafter.
“The quality of applications was again excellent this year,” says Leon Skylakis. “It was extremely difficult to choose
which schools would be successful and we are actively encouraging unsuccessful schools to reapply for 2011.
“The significant number of applications we get each year clearly shows us this programme is needed in the rural
community. Our suppliers have been crucial to the success of this programme and we have found their support, and the
support we have received from many other organisations, truly humbling,” he says.
Government organisations and local councils have also been briefed as part of the process. Leon Skylakis says all of
these groups, in particular New Zealand Transport Agency and local councils, have been extremely obliging in ensuring
the programme meets all legal and regulatory requirements.
“Totalspan does a lot of work in rural communities, so we are happy our Undercover Kids Bus Shelter programme gives
something back to the community that supports us,” says Leon Skylakis.
Locally owned and operated, Totalspan is New Zealand’s leading manufacturer of steel buildings and is part of Spanbild
New Zealand Ltd, which has been operating for more than 30 years.
Applications are already open for the Totalspan Undercover Kids Bus Shelter Programme in 2011 and will close at the end
of April next year. Visit www.totalspan.co.nz/undercoverkids
ends