The iconic Balloons Over Waikato Zuru Nightglow event for 2017 is being supported by more free buses than ever, says Waikato Regional Council.

The Zuru Nightglow is being held on Saturday 25 March this year and careful management of traffic is required to ensure things run smoothly. There were nearly 17,000 passenger trips to and from the event on free buses last year. In 2016, the council provided 45 buses – this year there will be 50 given the heavy demand.

“This is a hugely popular event and we’ve been working with event organisers to make it even easier for people to get to and from the event without having to use their cars or walk from a long way away,” said the council’s public transport operations manager Andrew Wilson.

Free buses will run between 4.15pm and 7pm from five park and ride sites at key Hamilton locations and the University of Waikato.

Event patrons will also be collected from and dropped off at official ‘special event bus stops’ on route when they signal the drivers.

People will be able to board buses from:

• Grosvenor Park, Rototuna – roadside parking, Thomas Rd
• Frankton Primary School – Rifle Range Rd
• Melville High School via Hamilton East – Collins Rd and roadside parking in Hamilton East
• City Shuttle – roadside parking
• The Base via River Road – parking available in The Base northern car park. 

At the end of the Zuru Nightglow event buses will run on a continuous, as-available basis until all passengers have made their return journey.

If rain postpones the Zuru Nightglow to Sunday 26 March, park and ride services will still be operating.

Meanwhile, bus services will operate as normal on the day of the event, but there may be some delays for the late afternoon Orbiter, 13 University, 17 Hamilton East Uni and Night Rider buses due to the Zuru Nightglow.

Visit www.busit.co.nz for full details of the park and ride locations and pick-up points, or call 0800 4BUSLINE (0800 4 2875 463).