Shuttle ban after DOC breach
The highest point of the Tongariro Crossing is Red Crater at 1886 metres above sea level. Photo: Dan Hutchinson
A company providing visitor transport to and from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing has had its Department of Conservation concession suspended for two weeks.
DOC didn’t specify the company but claims it ignored a Hazardous Weather Warning on February 7 this year and transported more than 100 visitors over multiple bus trips to the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track.
In a statement DOC says the incident breached the terms of the company’s concession agreement with the Department of Conservation for its operations within Tongariro National Park.
DOC Tongariro Operations Manager Libby O’Brien says the decision to issue the company a two-week suspension was not taken lightly.
“All operators have agreed, as part of their concessions, not to operate when a Hazardous Weather Warning has been issued for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This is for the safety of our visitors and ceasing operations is not optional.
“Despite having been warned last year after a similar breach, this operator chose to knowingly violate the terms of its concession and put lives at risk.”
“This is the only company to have breached the condition, and its actions are unfair to all the other operators following the rules and working to keep our manuhiri safe.”
Hazardous Weather Advisories are issued by Niwa and can be trigged by high wind speeds, low temperatures, heavy rainfall and snow.
“The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a world-famous naturing experience attracting visitors with a range of experience levels. We know some of these people will assume conditions are safe if a shuttle operator is willing to drop them off,” Libby says.
“It is a challenging hike even in good conditions and can be deadly in poor weather. Conditions can change quickly, and the Hazardous Weather Advisory gives the best prediction of what might happen during the day.”
The transport operator will have operations in Tongariro National Park suspended for two weeks from Monday March 9 to Sunday March 22 (inclusive). Other transport providers are operating as usual.