31 Dec 2022

Stranded bus passengers forced to walk up Remutaka Hill

2:21 pm on 31 December 2022
People get off and make their own way up Remutaka Hill after a  bus replacement for a train service broke down.

People get off and make their own way up Remutaka Hill after a bus replacement for a train service broke down. Photo: Supplied / Daniel Boerman

Passengers on a rail replacement bus from Wellington to Wairarapa have been forced to get off and walk up the Remutaka Hill after the bus broke down near the summit.

Metlink said the bus engine overheated, so passengers walked up the hill where the bus collected them again after being restarted.

Passenger Daniel Boerman said they walked about five minutes on the state highway, which doesn't have a safe area for people to walk.

He said some people hitched a ride from passing drivers instead.