Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island in New Zealand. Like many other cities until the 1960's it had a
comprehensive transit system comprising of Trams, Trolleybuses, Buses and even electric hauled Suburban Trains.
Now all that remains is the contracted bus service operated by various companies for the transport department of the
Canterbury Regional Council, known as CANRIDE. The largest of these operators is Christchurch Transport Ltd which is now
known as Red Bus Ltd. This operator is the largest remnant of the former
Christchurch Transport Board which operated all Christchurch Street Transport prior to NZ government legislation requiring
local authorities to be at arms length from public transport operations.
There are no longer any suburban trains (the last service ran in 1972), nor can you ride a long-distance train into
central Christchurch with the station sold off and converted into a science centre. The 'new' Christchurch railway
station is located approximately 5 KMs from Cathederal Square on the site of the now closed Addington workshops.
Auckland and Wellington have central city terminals in comarison. The former city opening the Britomart Terminal in 2003,
admiting that the 1930's decision to remove the central city terminal from Auckland was a mistake. Perhaps one day Christchurch
will also realise the mistake made by removing their central city railway station.
In recent years a tramway has been built, purely for tourist purposes using heritage trams from Christchurch and
other now closed NZ system's and also Melbourne W2. Of the bus routes, they do cover a fair area of Greater Christchurch, with many routes closely
following the former suburban railway lines. A trip on the Lyttleton route is recommended for both rail and bus
enthusiasts.
Photo Gallery
Buses
Christchurch Tourist Tramway
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