Fans queue for big rigs
The dodgy weather didn't put an damper on Saturday's Ride in a Truck Day.
And the combination of the trucks, and the people paying to ride in them, has raised about $6500 for Autism NZ.
Darrell Hoskin, one of the organisers for the Wanganui branch of the Road Transport Association, said local companies rolled out 32 big rigs for the day and people were queuing up from the 10am start time right through until the last ride at 2pm.
"It was quite overwhelming, really, and very humbling. We were absolutely inundated with people wanting to have a ride," Mr Hoskin said.
More than 1000 passengers - and they came in all ages - paid $2 for a ride that took them from Taupo Quay, over the City Bridge, along Putiki Dr, then over the Cobham Bridge and into Guyton St with a drop-off in Wilson St.
Mr Hoskin said the paying passengers contributed just over $3000 to the cause.
"The other $3500 has come from BP. They gave us a cheque for $3000, along with $500 worth of petrol vouchers.
"Those vouchers will be handed over to families who need help with travel," he said.
He said queues numbered more than 60 people for most of the day and a second loading bay was created to try to clear the backlog.
"We then got the trucks to drop off their trailers to make things move along a bit quicker too," Mr Hoskin said.
See Page 14 for pictures from the Ride in a Truck Day.
