Christchurch's bus interchange has been formally opened today by Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.
An unveiling of a plaque marked the occasion, which opened for public use in May.
The $53 million bus interchange is the first anchor project to be completed in the central city. Mr Brownlee says the facility is a step towards the modern, easy to navigate city that is envisaged.
"All greater Christchurch metro services now connect to the bus interchange, and by 2041 it's estimated that 70,000 people will pass through the facility each day," Mr Brownlee says.
Christchurch resident Emile Donovan says the interchange is a "massive" upgrade from the old one.
"It's a functional, effective interchange that definitely speeds up the flow of public transport massively, which has been a huge problem in Christchurch," he says.
The facility incorporates artwork by local artists based on the Ngāi Tūhaitara/Tūāhuriri migration to the South Island.
Retailers are now operating in the interchange including Muffin Break and Zuzu Gelato.
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