Passenger turned bro’Town movie star

BY ROMY UDANGA

Bus fare from Manukau to university: $3.80. Being featured in a movie: Priceless.

Catching the Waka Pacific bus 497 has won 20-year-old Eileen Song the chance for her cartoon likeness to star in next year's bro'Town movie.

The Auckland University biotechnology student won the "money can't buy" chance for movie stardom in a NZ Bus promotion.

Eileen texted her entry from the bus and says it's "very lucky" she took the 497 that day.

"I am excited. It's very special. You don't get this chance to star in a cartoon movie easily."

Eileen says her friends don't believe her.

"I think I'll take them to that movie."

She's been taking the bus from her Flat Bush home for the past three years.

"It is very convenient. The buses are frequent and I only walk 10 minutes to the bus stop.

"I get a 40 percent student discount so it makes it much cheaper than driving."

Operations manager David Rundle says Waka Pacific got a great response after their buses appeared in three episodes of bro'Town's fifth series.

"Given the strong following that bro'Town has in south Auckland, we wanted to offer something to really get excited about.

"Having your caricature in the highly anticipated bro'Town movie was a perfect way to achieve this."

Eileen's caricature in the movie looks "fantastic", Mr Rundle says.

"It has really come out brilliantly."

- © Fairfax NZ News