See the best roses – and have time to smell them all!

As “The Greatest Show In Earth” grows closer, the Auckland Regional Council and local bus operators are preparing to transplant passengers to and from the Ellerslie Flower Show like pansies – reliably and cost-effectively!

Stagecoach and Howick & Eastern Buses will be operating many bus services hourly from key locations around the region, ensuring that botanical buffs have plenty of time to relax on the way to the Show and home again, without the cost and hassle of parking.

“Leaving the car at home and catching a bus to enjoy a day amongst world class blooms is the not only good for the nerves, but also great for the environment,” says ARC Passenger Transport Committee Chairwoman, Catherine Harland.

“With local operators providing numerous trips - nearly every hour from some locations - it’s a simple way to stay out of the traffic and avoid the stress and cost of battling to find a car park with thousands of other people.

“We’re encouraging people to sit back, relax and enjoy their time travelling to and from the Show, leaving plenty of time to stop and smell the roses.”

The ARC is also encouraging people to get more out of their visit to the Ellerslie Flower Show by exploring the Regional Botanic Gardens, which boast more than 8000 plant species from New Zealand and around the world.

To access the Botanic Gardens from the Ellerslie Flower Show, people can simply exit through the Rose entrance, receive a stamp from staff and then return to the Show at their leisure.

For timetable and fare information about buses to and from the Show, call Rideline 366 6400. 4 special services are available:

1. North Shore – departing from outside McDonalds on Glenfield Road (opposite Westfield Shopping Town) Departs: 9am, 11am and 1pm Returns: 2pm. 4pm, 6pm, 8pm (last bus on Sunday 6pm) Fares: $13 Return or $7.90 one-way Travels via Glenfield, Milford and Takapuna Stagecoach

2. Auckland CBD Bus – departing from the Sky City Inter-City bus stop on Hobson Street Departs: On the hour 9am-3pm Returns: On the hour from 2-8pm (last bus on Sunday is 7pm) Fares: $10 return or $6 one way Stagecoach

3. Manukau City Centre bus – departs from front of the Westfield Shopping Town (Manukau City) Departs: on the hour 9am-1pm Returns: On the hour 2-8pm Fares: $2 one way (the is not return fare) Stagecoach

4. Pakuranga and Howick bus – deparing from Pakuranga Plaza (outward stop) Departs: Pakuranga Plaza 10am and 1pm Returns: 2pm and 6.30pm Fare: $10 return only Travels via Pakuranga Plaza (outward stop), Pakuranga Rd, all stops (Highland Park), Ridge Rd, Picton St, HOWICK, Cook St, Whitford Rd, Millhouse Dr, Botany Rd, BOTANY TOWN CENTRE, Te Irirangi Dr, Boundary Rd, Aspiring Dr, Everglade Dr to the show. Howick and Eastern Buses

© Scoop Media