Steepest street bus ride 'foolish'

The actions of a driver who attempted to drive a bus full of backpackers up the world's steepest street for a photo opportunity have been labelled foolhardy by Dunedin police.

Concerned residents contacted police at 9am yesterday after witnessing a "Magic" backpacker bus being driven up Baldwin St, which is prohibited to heavy vehicles due to its steep gradient.

"It was foolish," Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said.

Given the lack of turning space at the top of the street it was "silly to take a vehicle of that size up there".

"There is a sign saying there is no entry to heavy vehicles."

The incident had the potential to be life threatening for passengers and residents alike, and "if the bus' brakes had failed the consequences are not worth thinking about", he said.

"We have had a fatality and injuries there in the past."

Late last year, a 16-year-old cyclist was injured after hitting a parked vehicle at speed after swerving to avoid a cat.

In 2009, three men were charged after riding a chilly bin down Baldwin St.

And in 2001, a 19-year-old University of Otago student was killed when the wheelie bin in which she was travelling down the street struck a parked trailer.

When police arrived at the scene yesterday, the driver had successfully reversed down the street.

The driver was likely to be issued with a $150 infringement notice, he said.

The Otago Daily Times understands it was the first time the experienced driver had driven up Baldwin St, as he wanted to get a photo of his passengers halfway up for a "prank".

One resident said several buses a year ignored the warning and tried to drive up the street, but never one so full of passengers.

Magic Travellers Network general manager Rob Burnell did not return calls yesterday.

The company's website states: "We start the day with a chance to run up Baldwin Street - the world's steepest street - that's you, not the Magic bus!"

hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz