Canterbury youth take strong stance

Monday, 30 November 2015, 12:54 pm
Press Release: Generation Zero

Canterbury youth take strong stance to boost inner city travel

30 November 2015

In a bid to ditch the “loser cruiser” mentality and make buses “cool” the Christchurch arm of youth advocacy group, Generation Zero, is hosting a community launch party at the Bus Interchange.

The free, family-friendly event is a celebration of the city’s new Bus Interchange on Lichfield Street with drinks and nibbles, live music, a photo booth, face painting and kids’ entertainment kicking off from 2pm this Saturday, December 5.

Generation Zero Christchurch co-ordinator Rosalee Jenkin said the event was an open invitation for local residents to experience the new $53 million facility and Metro bus service first hand.

“We want to see public transport use increase in Christchurch so we’re inviting everyone to get onboard and celebrate this new iconic building in the centre of the city,” she says.

“We all have a part to play in helping our new emerging city come to life. Reconsidering how we travel is one way to make a real impact on reducing traffic congestion, lowering our carbon emissions and creating a more connected community.”

The Bus Interchange’s airport-style passenger lounge has a distinctive Canterbury feel with local artwork showcasing the Ngāi Tūhaitara/Tūāhuriri migration to the South Island.

National retailer Muffin Break is now operating at the Interchange with other vendors including ZuZu Gelato, Auntie Dai’s Dumplings and a new outlet for booking intercity travel also setting up shop.

Jenkin says other key features such as power stations to recharge mobile devices, a covered bike-lock area for cyclists and private storage lockers add real value to commuters.

“The ability to ride your bike to your local bus stop, catch a bus in or out of the city, and make use of the interchange’s storage areas shows just how easy it is for people to use public transport,” says Jenkin.

“Catching a bus gives people more time to do the things they love, whether it’s reading a book or going online.”

This weekend’s event will be hosted by Generation Zero with event sponsorship provided by the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), and Environment Canterbury.

“The Bus Interchange has been designed to make public transport easy and comfortable,” says Greg Wilson, CCDU Deputy Director project delivery.

“It’s not only a transport hub but a high quality public space that everyone can enjoy in the central city. It’s great to see this facility being used by the community, which is exactly what we envisioned. We hope that many more of these occasions will follow.”

By 2041 it’s estimated more than 70,000 people will use the interchange facility each day as a result of inner city employment increasing to more than 63,000 jobs. This will mark more than 10,000 extra central city workers in comparison to pre-2010 earthquakes.

Environment Canterbury senior transport strategy advisor Shannon Boorer says there is a need for workers to swap their cars for a metrocard at least some of the time to reduce traffic congestion and parking problems as workers return to the central city.

“We have a unique opportunity post-quake to help people make a shift from always using their car to consider other ways of getting around, including public transport,” she says.

“The community wants their future city to be green, people-friendly, modern and easy-to-navigate, but to make this happen people need to get onboard with other transport options – even if it’s catching a bus once a week.”

Environment Canterbury is aligning its call to increase bus patronage with transport and infrastructure plans set by the Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council and the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy.

The regional council’s 2015 Metro User Report showed people aged 18 to 34 were the biggest users of public transport in Christchurch. More than half of all current Metro users (54 percent) have a driver licence, but elect to use public transport.

Jenkin says the new interchange is a “massive upgrade” on the old facility, and will appeal to a wide audience.

“The interchange has a great vibe, it’s a functional, modern, safe and user-friendly space where people can come together and enjoy their journey to and from the inner city.”

For more information, ‘Like’ the Party at the Bus Interchange event on Facebook at: http://on.fb.me/1liCwEY.

CERA welcomes event enquiries from interested community and arts groups. To submit an enquiry email: info@cera.govt.nz.

ENDS

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