CHBTakapauBus1.JPG Takapau rolled out the welcome mat - and brought out the chocolate biscuits - to celebrate the first official stop by the InterCity bus at the new bus stop. PHOTOS / JACKIE LOWRY PHOTOGRAPHY CHBTakapauBus2.JPG The first passengers aboard - residents and dignitaries - took a spin round the block. CHBTakapauBus3.JPG The mayor on the bus goes "You did it, Takapau!"
There was a crowd at the Takapau bus stop recently, and they were definitely waiting for the bus.
They'd been waiting a couple of years, so it was no surprise that the bus was greeted with a huge welcome sign, morning tea, a blessing and a speech from the mayor.
Takapau lost its InterCity bus stop two years ago, after the State Highway 2 stop was deemed dangerous.
At the time, InterCity declined to reinstate the bus stop to the town's centre, as it was considered time consuming and also dangerous for buses to turn in and out of the small town's streets from the highway. This left Takapau's bus travellers having to catch their bus in Norsewood or Waipukurau, which was difficult for those who didn't drive.