Buses collide in central Tauranga

UPDATED 1.15pm: Two Bay Hopper buses have crashed in Tauranga's CBD this afternoon, leaving passengers shocked.

Bus 436 had its windscreen smashed after crashing into the back of the other bus waiting on Cameron Rd at the junction of Elizabeth St about 12.10pm.

A passenger in the front bus, who would only be known as Alisha, said everyone on the "packed" bus from Welcome Bay was in shock when it happened.

"We just felt a big jolt from behind."

Alisha said they saw in the reflection of the ANZ building that it was another bus that had hit them, before their driver got out to talk with the driver behind.

She said traffic was backed up behind the incident, until the buses drove to the central city stop and the damage was assessed.

Alisha said the back of their bus was dented as well as the other bus having a badly smashed windscreen.

Alisha said she would give it one more chance, taking another bus this afternoon.

"One more time and I'm not getting on another bus."

It is understood no one was injured.

12.48pm: Two buses have crashed in Tauranga's CBD this afternoon.

A Bay Hopper bus has had its windscreen smashed after colliding with another bus waiting at traffic lights in central Tauranga about 12.10pm. The crash happened at the junction of Elizabeth St and Cameron Rd.

It is understood no one was injured however there were passengers inside the bus when the collision happened.

The collision follows a crash involving a near-empty schoolbus and car in Welcome Bay this morning.

Three people were taken to Tauranga Hospital. Read more about the crash here.

More soon.