Need a bus?
You can download the Orbus On Demand app for free to book your Orbus On Demand travel
Orbus On Demand will replace the Mosgiel loop bus service on routes 80 and 81 from Monday 30 June 2025.
Orbus On Demand is a bookable rideshare service for Mosgiel, Wingatui, East Taieri and Kinmont.
As a corner-to-corner rideshare service you will need to walk to and from your pick-up and drop-off location. The Orbus On Demand app will be the best way to book and manage your trips. The app will use smart technology to direct you to the shortest walking route. Rideshare means you may share your trip with other customers travelling from the same direction.
Through the app you can repeat common trips and update or cancel bookings. It will notify you when the driver is on the way and has arrived to pick you up. The app has many other features to make booking easy. The app and its user guide will be available before the service launches so you can get set up and ready to go. We will keep you updated on this page when these are available.
If you can’t or don’t want to use the app, you will be able to book Orbus On Demand by phoning our friendly customer services team, but notifications and updates will not be available on phone bookings. We encourage you to use the app if you can for the best experience.
We will keep you updated as Orbus prepares for the changeover.
- Let us know where you want to go and when
There is no fixed route or timetable. Instead, there are nearly 100 pick-up and drop-off points you walk to/from when using the on demand bus. - Book your ride
Book your travel 30 minutes or up to seven days in advance. If booking over the phone, you’ll need to ring during our Orbus Customer Services hours – see Phone Bookings. - Get to your pick-up point
To ensure an easy journey for everyone, you must be at your pick-up point before your ride arrives. You may share your journey with others as this is a rideshare service. - Pay with your Bee Card or cash
Tag on and off with your Bee Card or pay with cash. Paying for others? You can use your Bee Card or cash to pay for others to travel with you. Standard Dunedin bus fares and concessions apply.
Orbus On Demand bookings have a maximum estimated time of arrival of 30 minutes, although most waiting times are shorter. You can track your vehicle's approach using the Orbus On Demand app.
Yes the service is available for everyone, although the bus only holds 22 people.
There will be two easy ways to book your Orbus On Demand trip:
- use the Orbus On Demand app
- call our office and speak to our friendly customer service team
Don't forget to bring your Bee Card or cash. Tag on and off or pay with cash.
All standard Dunedin bus fares and concessions apply.
Using the app will streamline the booking process provides service notifications direct to you and is super simple. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play store! Download it and have a look before the Service launch date on 30 June 2025.
Setting up your app
- Download the Orbus On Demand from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- Set up your user profile and accessibility needs.
- No payment required in the app.
- Bring your Bee Card or cash. Tag on and off or pay with cash.
- Standard Dunedin fares and concession apply.
Not able to use the app? No worries.
Call us on 0800 672 8736 and give your name, location and destination. Please note the hours for phone booking do not directly match the service hours – plan your trip and book ahead.
Our friendly customer service team will be available:
- Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm
- Weekends and public holidays not available – please book in advance if using phone booking.
Just like any other Orbus trip, you can pay on the bus with your Bee Card or cash. All standard Dunedin bus fares and concessions apply.
Yes, you can book for up to seven people in one booking. You must all be picked up and dropped off at the same place. You all pay separately on the bus, or you can pay for others using your Bee Card if you want to.
Unfortunately not. Just like any bus service, you need to be at the pick-up point at the arranged time. We recommend you arrive a minimum of two minutes ahead of your pick-up time.
Using the app, you can see when the vehicle is approaching and will be notified the vehicle is on the way. The driver can only wait for two minutes at the pick-up point to ensure all other booked trips run on time.
Please be at the pick-up point at least two minutes ahead of your booked time, your vehicle could be a little early, so you need to be ready.
We cannot wait past the pick-up time as doing so means we can’t stay on time for other passengers. You will need to rebook a new trip if you have missed your pick-up.
Orbus On Demand has nearly 100 pick-up/drop off points in the service zone. Some are marked bus stops, and some are not.
It is a rideshare service and does not go door-to-door. This means you will need to walk to the nearest pick-up location and may share your ride with other customers.
Children will be welcome on Orbus On Demand and all standard Dunedin bus fares and concessions apply.
Children under the age of 5 years must be accompanied by someone aged 18 years or older.
Children aged 5 years and older may travel on their own, provided they can confidently navigate their route and crossroads.
Orbus On Demand is a wheelchair accessible electric bus service. Most pick-up and drop-off locations are accessible, those that are not due to roadside conditions will be identified in the app and during phone booking.
Orbus On Demand offers the same level of accessibility as our other Orbus services, including the same current limitations
Some stops are currently not suitable for people with restricted accessibility due to the lack of a footpath. The stops that are not accessible are
- Wingatui Hall (gravel – no footpath)
- 78 Wingatui Rd (gravel – no footpath)
- 8 Wingatui Rd (gravel – no footpath)
- 108 Quarry Rd (wide grass verge)
- 175 Factory Rd (gravel – no footpath)
Every trip on Orbus On Demand is carbon neutral and could be one more car off the road.
The Orbus On Demand app is free to download from Apple and Google, and you will be able to make your first booking starting 30 June 2025.
Come to a drop in session
Come along to ask questions about the on demand service and see how the app works at one of our drop-ins.
Drop by the Mosgiel Library on any of the following dates, anytime between the times listed:
- Thursday, 19 June, 10am-12pm
- Thursday, 19 June, 1-3pm
- Thursday, 26 June, 10am-12pm
- Saturday, 28 June, 10am-12pm
Our team will tell you more about the service and show you how it works, including how to download and use the Orbus On Demand app, which is your best way to book your ride. They’ll answer any of your questions about the service, including how to book if you can’t use the app.
Your feedback is invaluable to us – we welcome all feedback to help us make Orbus On Demand work as smoothly as possible for our customers.
You can share your feedback by:
- Calling Orbus Customer Services on 0800 ORBUSDN (0800 672 8736) Monday to Friday 8am -5pm.
- Emailing us at transport@orc.govt.nz
- Providing feedback through the Orbus On Demand app. After reaching your destination you may be prompted to rate your ride, and you can leave comments or suggestions.
Orbus On Demand is a permanent service, managed by Otago Regional Council. The buses are owned and maintained by our transport contractors Go Bus, while Liftango provides the app.
The area serviced by Orbus On Demand is based on where essential amenities are located (such as shopping, medical and centres) and the area’s layout.
