Temporary logjam for Wellington bus tunnel after red light missed

The bus tunnel through the Wellington suburb of Mt Victoria was temporarily blocked by several buses, after a breakdown caused a logjam on Friday afternoon.

Video footage from social media shows more than one bus stationary in the Haitaitai Bus Tunnel which passes under Mt Victoria, with passengers – some school students – seen to have disembarked and be walking through the tunnel.

Metlink general manager Samantha Gain​ said it was aware of the incident, which occurred at 3.40pm after a bus which drove into the tunnel while the traffic light was showing red.

As another bus was entering the tunnel from other end, where the light was showing green to enter safely, both buses became stuck in the tunnel, she said.

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“As the tunnel lights continued to operate as usual, several buses following close behind on other routes, proceeded to enter the tunnel and also became stuck.”

She said all buses were able to safely exit the tunnel and there were no injuries or damage reported to vehicles in the incident.

The tunnel was reopened to bus traffic at 4pm.

“As a number of operators were involved, each operator will conduct its own review into the incident and feedback to Metlink.”