Aucklanders can hop on the Route 24 bus through Sandringham to the city centre and celebrate Diwali alongside Auckland’s Indian community. Auckland Transport (AT) has teamed up with graphic artists Shiv Narandas and Jaishree Pancha to create a Bollywood-inspired bus, offering passengers an authentic Diwali experience. The bus route started on 16 October, 2024.
Shiv and Jai designed the bus to reflect the vibrancy and joy of Diwali, using bold patterns and colours inspired by Bollywood and Indian truck art.
"Buses are a great metaphor for Auckland’s culture. Many people from different walks of life come together to share a journey,” Shiv told the Auckland Transport.
Jai adds, “Our goal was to give riders an authentic glimpse into the vibrant and playful nature of Diwali.”
The concept, "Once Upon a Time in Bollywood," celebrates Auckland's multiculturalism, blending traditional Indian artistry with a contemporary aesthetic. AT India Connect Network leader, Pragati Vasisht, played a crucial role in ensuring the artwork resonated with the community, even assisting with Hindi translations for phrases like “Shubh Deepavali” (शुभ दीपावली), meaning “Wishing you an auspicious Diwali.”
The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival will take place on the weekend of 19-20 October in Aotea Square. The Bolly-bus will run on Route 24 from 16 October until 1 November, and AT encourages people to use public transport for Diwali events due to limited parking and road closures.
For more details, visit www.aucklandnz.com/diwali and plan your journey through the AT Mobile app or Journey Planner. Plus, children aged 5-15 travel free on weekends.
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