A motorist is fuming after witnessing “atrocious" behaviour and "abuse hurled" by other motorists, following the breakdown of a double-decker bus on State Highway 2 in Katikati on Saturday afternoon.

“The double-deck bus broke down on SH2 in the Katikati township,” says the motorist.

“I arrived at around 12.40pm.”

He says a detour was put in place for the south-bound lane.

“I followed up with a call to 111 asking for assistance at 1.15pm. The first guy who arrived had to travel from the Upper Kaimai and arrived at approximately 2pm.

“[It] took over an hour to get a traffic management truck, then another 30 minutes for another crew.

“Myself and another local organised traffic management.”

He says this “is not a good enough service” on the part of roading and emergency services.

“Fortunately I carry a revolving orange beacon and hi-vis. That's okay and wise, however despite Police and STMS notified, a breakdown that blocks an entire lane on a state highway managed by two volunteers is not okay.”

He is concerned about losing confidence in the ability of services “to manage a major incident in a timely manner”.

Police say they were notified at 12.07pm that a bus had broken down on SH2 at Katikati.

“A bus carrying passengers broke down in the southbound lane about midday today [Saturday],” says a police spokesperson.

“Contractors were advised a few minutes later, initially for their information only.

“A Police unit passed the bus just after 12.15pm, noting there was sufficient room for traffic to negotiate around the bus.

“However, contractors were contacted again around 12.30pm when a diversion was sought, after information received suggested the bus would likely be there for at least two hours.

“Contractors were asked to manage this diversion.”

The motorist who contacted SunLive says he is appalled at the response by people driving past.

“The behaviour of some of the motorists was atrocious. Abuse was hurled, people tried to drive straight through the scene despite a clear bright beacon and hi-vis vests and flags being used.

“Rubber necking, people on their phones not noticing traffic slowing.

“Speed [was] way too high. Atrocious behaviour.”

Police say that by about 1.20pm, a new bus had transported the passengers onwards.

In response to the motorist’s concern about management of the incident, police say they would “remind all motorists, at any time, to be aware of their surroundings”.

“It is the responsibility of all drivers to pay attention while behind the wheel, to enable them to react safely to any situation that unfolds in front of them,” says a police spokesperson.

“This means scanning the road ahead and ensuring a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front.”

At the scene?

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