Red zone bus tours to start next month

6:39 am on 15 October 2011

Public bus tours of Christchurch city centre red zone will begin next month.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) says buses will take up to 3000 people each weekend, for as long as there is demand.

The tours will give people a close-up view of the earthquake damage for the first time since the 22 February earthquake.

CERA chief executive Roger Sutton says the route won't be finalised until closer to the time as it will depend on where potentially hazardous demolition work is being done carried out.

For safety reasons, it is unlikely people will be allowed get off the buses during the tour.

The tours begin on 5 November.