Festive light tours back

Otago Heritage Bus Society president Richard Brownlie shows a 1970s Leyland that will be one of...
Otago Heritage Bus Society president Richard Brownlie shows a 1970s Leyland that will be one of several heritage buses conducting Christmas lights tours. PHOTO: SAM HENDERSON
Vintage buses are once again set to roam the streets in search of festive sparkle.

The Otago Heritage Bus Society, in collaboration with Tūhura Otago Museum, is offering Christmas light tours in a range of classic vehicles.

President Richard Brownlie said the transport options included "bendy buses" that originally operated in Auckland and 1970s Leylands, many of which originally ran in Dunedin.

Another member of the heritage fleet is a 1968 Bedford VAM, fitted by Midland Motorbodies, of Christchurch, that features windows curving up into the roof.

"They actually built that roof as a separate component and then fitted it to the bus. It was a coach bus but it got used for school runs as well."

Each trip begins at the H.D. Skinner Annex at Tūhura Otago Museum, where people will be offered hot chocolate and can enjoy seasonal music, setting off from the Albany St bus stop.

The tours will run from Thursday, December 18, to Sunday, December 21, starting at 8.30pm. To book, visit otagomuseum.nz

sam.henderson@thestar.co.nz