Double-decker bus back on city scene

Press, 6 December 1989, Page 16

Double-decker bus back on city scene

By

PAM MORTON

The double-decker sight-seeing bus, the English Connection, has returned to Christchurch streets for another summer season. The service was launched by Christchurch Transport with a 45-min-ute tour of the city and a stop-over at Mona Vale for morning tea. A commentary by the driver points out historic buildings, inner-city landmarks and streets along the route. Among facts passengers learn is that the chain fence along Oxford Terrace was erected in the 1800 s to try to prevent drownings in the Avon River. At Friendship Park, where Cambridge and Oxford Terrace intersect, passengers are told all the

trees planted in the park were gifted by sister cities throughout the world.

The visit to Mona Vale is an addition to the service which ran last year. Passengers are taken on the inner-city tour then driven to Mona Vale where they are given an hour to enjoy lunch at the homestead or to have a picnic in the grounds.

The chairman of the tourist transport committee and a Christchurch City councillor, Cr Alex Clark, said it was hoped the English Connection would become a full time service. The next step would be to import a couple of British double-deck buses, he said. The bus used on the service is a 1949 Britishbuilt RT diesel with seat-

ing for 56. It is on lease from the Tramway Historical Society. The service was subsidised by the Canterbury United Council last year by $20,000. More than 12,000 travelled on the service for the two months it was running. This year the service will be underwritten by the Christchurch City Council’s Summer Times programme. Cr Clark said it was hoped that the service would pay for itself and that no extra money would be needed. The bus leaves Cathedral Square at 10.30 a m., 11.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m, and does a 40-minute tour of the city. The Mona Vale tour leaves at 12.30 p.m. and takes two hours. The tours will run until February 25.