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: 371 1292.
Sam Fisher Corporate Communication Co-ordinator Christchurch City Council 03 371-1762 025 229 3552