Following a recent accident involving a bus passenger crossing State Highway 1 in Waitati, the Otago Regional Council has moved to trial a new and safer bus stop in the Waitati township.
From Wednesday, passengers using the Dunedin to Palmerston bus service can still use the stop near the On the Spot store, but northbound buses will now briefly loop into Waitati township to let passengers off at a new temporary stop, in Harvey St opposite the fire station, before returning to SH1 and continuing north.
ORC transport manager Lorraine Cheyne said the stop aimed to make it safer for northbound passengers when they got off the bus, because they would otherwise need to cross the busy highway.
"From time to time, we are asked by the community for new or additional stops on route 1.
"Keeping our bus passengers safe with convenient bus stops always presents challenges along the state highway high-speed environment."
Ms Cheyne said the trial would run until September 30.
The return Palmerston-Dunedin bus would continue to pick up passengers at the existing bus stop, opposite the On the Spot store, she said.
