Bus ride down NZ's steepest street 'foolhardy'

Baldwin St, Dunedin. Photo / Supplied

A driver is being labelled by police as foolhardy for trying to take a bus full of tourists up reputedly the world's steepest street.

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

"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".

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".

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

- NZPA