Plan ahead: Major bus routes to be disrupted for six hours

Routes 3 Airport/Sheffield Crescent to Sumner, 8 Port to Port (Airport to Lyttelton) will be affected, as well as the 140 Russley to Mt Pleasant and 155 Eastgate to Lyttelton Shopper Service routes. 

“Customers should be aware that some trips may end at the city bus interchange from around 8.20am as drivers from one of our operators, Ritchies, prepare to attend the meeting,” Metro says. 

“Ritchies has worked to ensure that the remaining routes they service will be unaffected.”

Bus drivers can attend two union meetings per year. This counts as one. 

The Amalgamated Workers Union represents bus drivers in Christchurch. Despite the length of disruption, Union Regional Secretary, Lindsay Chappell says the meeting 'isn't a biggie'.

"It's their normal stop-work meeting for claims, for negotiations going forward.

"It's just the annual event if you like."

Route 3 is a major route for those travelling into the city centre, or to the airport. 

First-year student, Asha Lyall, who studies at Ara’s city campus but lives in Riccarton, says she relies on route 3 every morning. The disruptions fall right when she usually leaves. 

“I’ve never had a problem with route 3, so I’ve never had to even consider this.

“I believe that route 5 might be an option, but that would mean catching two different buses, which will take a lot of time out of my day that I just don’t have to waste.”

Metro says they apologise for the inconvenience and recommend customers plan ahead if travelling via public transport on Friday.

School services will not be affected.