Saturday’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic and getting to the Hamilton Gardens for this popular event will be even easier for parents, with free bus rides from the city centre.

The regional council’s 29 Lake and Gardens bus service will be operating free trips between the Bryce Street transport centre and the Hamilton Gardens on Saturday 27 February.

Buses depart hourly from the transport centre from 10.25am, and the last bus of the day leaves the gardens at 2.50pm. Timetable information is available at www.busit.co.nz.

“This event is a family favourite, attracting several thousand children and their parents each year, and the council is pleased to be able to support it,” said the regional council’s public transport operations manager, Andrew Wilson.

“So, pack your picnic and head for the bus – we’ve got 26 routes in Hamilton that are fully wheelchair and pram accessible, as well as air conditioned, making bus travel a comfortable transport option on the day,” he said.

Due to numbers, Mr Wilson warned that prams and strollers might need to be folded after boarding the bus.

Fares will be payable when travelling on other routes to the transport centre; however, children aged under five years travel free. 

• The Teddy Bears Picnic is part of the annual Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival. There is gold coin admission to this event, which runs from 10am to 2pm on the Rhododendron Lawn.