Christchurch Bus Interchange

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The Christchurch Bus Interchange is the main bus station in Christchurch’s central city, New Zealand. It opened in May 2015 after the previous Bus Exchange was damaged in the 2011 earthquake.

Before this, Cathedral Square was the main transport hub. A new Bus Exchange opened in November 2000 on Lichfield Street with an indoor facility and easy access to City Mall. The building was damaged in the 2011 quake and was later demolished. A temporary station called Central Station operated nearby from October 2011 for about two years.

The Christchurch Central Recovery Plan, published in July 2012, named the Bus Interchange as one of 17 key recovery projects. Construction began in July 2014. The plan involved Environment Canterbury, Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, the NZ Transport Agency, and private partners, with CERA coordinating the project. Miller’s Department Store, a major building at the site, was demolished to make way for the Interchange.

Central Station stayed in use until May 25, 2015, when the new $53 million Bus Interchange opened, with half of the bays in use. The building was fully completed and opened to the public on August 20, featuring bike parking and more seating, with the remaining bays opening on October 8. Later retailers moved into the new spaces.