A return to normal?

14 May 2020

With the government downgrading New Zealand to Alert Level 2, we recognise that more and more people will rely on the bus to return to work, school and study. What does this mean for you?

In Dunedin, where we’ve run a version of the weekend timetable during the lockdown, the move to Alert Level 2 means we are going back to the usual, pre-COVID-19 timetable and frequency.

In Queenstown, under COVID-19 our timetable wasn’t very different from the usual timetable so we’re sticking to this for now, including continuing to run the extension to Sunshine Bay, and the stop at Hanleys Farm.

Distancing measures will still be in place and buses remain free across both networks. Under Alert Level 2, we expect to move more passengers around as folks return to work and school. To ensure safe distancing on buses, fewer people are allowed on the bus. Please bear this in mind when you’re planning your travel.

We’re working with operators to support safe distancing on buses. You might see stickers and posters helping direct you where to sit when you’re on the bus.

Tracking your travel will be even more important now. Keep track of when you catch the bus – date, time and route number. You can fill in a form that is on our website at www.orc.govt.nz, keep your own diary, take a photo of the bus as it arrives or text a mate each time you travel.

Please be considerate by following these guidelines:

  • Unless you are travelling with a bubble buddy, keep the seat next to you free 
  • Please try to keep a 2m distance when queuing for the bus
  • We’re still fare free under Alert Level 2 to ensure there is no contact between passengers and drivers
  • Please continue to enter/exit via the rear doors
  • If you can, please travel off peak to help spread the load

 

Thanks

We’d like to thank passengers for filling in the travel registration forms. This will help us support the medical authorities to contact trace if we need to.

Finally, we would also like to thank passengers for being kind to each other and to our amazing drivers who have kept the bus service going.

 

Find your timetable

Online timetables are up to date so you can plan your journey online. You can also call our customer experience team.

Orbus Dunedin timetables

Orbus Queenstown timetables

 

Contact details

0800 ORBUSDN (0800 672 8736)

0800 ORBUSQT (0800 672 8778)

transport@orc.govt.nz.

www.facebook.com/OrbusQT

www.facebook.com/OrbusDN

www.orc.govt.nz/public-transport/covid-19

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