I’m sure you know that the Wellingtonista is a big fan of the trolley buses, and thinks that everyone who bitches about the wires overhead being an eyesore is an idiot. You probably think that it’s because we’re dirty leftie greenies that we’re fond of the wires, but the truth is, we like them because it’s hilarious when they go down.

Like this morning, watching a trolley-bus having to get shunted by another bus out of a major Hataitai intersection. And getting to ride on the other side of Courtenay Place around marooned buses. And seeing Willis St totally blocked up with the corpses of trolley buses left lifeless. Actually it was lovely to see how friendly all the traffic was, and how quickly police and other people in shiny coats were there to direct traffic and keep things running. Sometimes Wellington is a surprisingly well-oiled machine. The official word after the jump:

A further update, the power loss – the lack of power is serious, a power cable has been dug up by a contractor near Wakefield Street. Siemens and Stagecoach are working to restore power to trolley buses as soon as possible.

At the moment trolley buses are at a standstill in Willis St, Mercer St, Wakefield St, Manners, Cuba, Courtenay Place and right out to the bus tunnel. Extensive delays are being experienced in the cbd.

Motorists should avoid the cbd until further notice.