Several events will be held to celebrate the opening of Christchurch's new Bus Exchange.

This party, for all ages, is one of several events being held as the Bus Exchange gets ready for its first buses on Monday November 20. Already about 300 bus drivers are familiarising themselves with the Bus Exchange They are having instruction on how to use the Lichfield Street facility before buses will start using it on November 20. The car park on top of the Exchange is already in use.

Christchurch's Mayor Garry Moore opened the Bus Exchange on October 31 and a series of events will be held before the buses use it.

On Saturday 11 November the public will be able to tour the Exchange and combine the visit with the street X-party in the City Mall. The X-party, from 10am to 4pm, will feature three bands, a children's art competition, stilt walkers, clowns, face painters and 92 More FM will broadcast direct from the Exchange.

A special family bus pass of $2 will be available on the day and there will be free parking for two hours in the two Lichfield Street car parks - as long as tickets are stamped in the Bus Exchange.

On Thursday 16 November an all-ages, non-alcohol, dance-party will be held in the Bus Exchange from 9pm until late.

The dance-party is part of Unity that made its appearance at Easter with a multi-venue inner-city dance party. This will be repeated in Show Week with two levels in the Bus Exchange being used for trance-techno and hardcore styles.

Tickets will be $35 at the door or $25 for under-18 year-olds or pre-booked tickets.

Buses will be available from the Bus Exchange from midnight on the hour until 4am. Tickets will cost $3.

The contact number for tickets and information is 021 4UNITI (or 021 486 484).

Further information: Janet Luxton, Bus Exchange Co-ordinator: 025 220 7248.

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