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Welcome to On Board with Orbus, your source of news and information about Dunedin and Queenstown's bus networks and the Bee Card 🐝🚍
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We’re back to our regularly scheduled bus service now. Thanks to everyone who rode or drove a bus over the break - we hope you’re feeling relaxed and refreshed ahead of the new year.
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School Services in Dunedin
You may have seen the news that the Ministry of Education (MOE) is no longer subsidising some school services in Dunedin. As a result, Otago Road Services have ceased to operate entirely. Some MOE services are still operational and Go Bus has taken over some of the Otago Road Service routes. All of this is outside the scope of ORC’s public transport network, however we are trying to help fill the gaps.
The changes may mean that some students need to now catch other buses and connect to our Orbus public transport network. We have been working with some of the local schools to see how we can ease the transition.
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One example is Kaikorai Valley College, where we have made a small route adjustment to facilitate students using the public transport network to get to school. Read more about this here. Find out from your school if your bus is affected by the changes or click here for Orbus information. If you do need to catch an Orbus bus, make sure to have your Bee Card loaded with a youth concession in time for the new term.  |
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Changes to Arawata Terrace
We have been working closely with our partners QLDC and our bus operator to look into safety improvements on Arawata Terrace in Sunshine Bay, where buses and emergency vehicles have been struggling to get past parked cars.
We’re putting temporary parking restrictions between Moss Lane and Williams Street. This will reduce risk of vehicle damage and improve the flow of traffic through this area. The measures are temporary, and we’ll work with residents in the area for a more permanent solution.
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Scan in, Mask up
With some restrictions easing under the Traffic Light System, and greater numbers of the more transmissible Omicron variant popping up, it’s so important that we keep up with the COVID-19 safety measures for public transport.
These include wearing your mask while on the bus and waiting at the bus stop, and keeping a record of every bus you travel on – using either the NZ COVID Tracer app to scan QR codes, or with your own record-keeping.
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Road works ahoy The season of road works is upon us, with a few implications for buses in Dunedin. Of particular note is Frederick Street closing for work on the retail quarter, and the Portobello Road closure. The Frederick Street closure affects routes 50 and 63, and is expected to be in place until April. You can see details of the diversion currently in place here.
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And for this week, until Friday 21 January, Portobello Road will be closed between Marne Street and Company Bay, requiring a significant detour for the route 18 bus. Route 18 will need to detour along Highcliff Rd for the duration of the works, and will operate a modified timetable. Because of the nature of this diversion, route 18 will be running smaller vehicles for this time. These vehicles are unfortunately not accessible for wheelchairs and do not have bike racks. Find the details for the route 18 detour on our website here. |
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New Year's ResolutionsLooking for a new year’s resolution for 2022? Something achievable and rewarding, that will save you money, help out the environment, and make you feel good? Here’s one you can try for free: Catch the bus even more in 2022!
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There are many individual and collective benefits to catching the bus.
Public transport means fewer cars on the road, which eases congestion in cities and reduces CO2 emissions; for many people it’s more affordable than paying for petrol and parking, at $2 per trip with a Bee Card in Dunedin and Queenstown, plus free transfers; and it’s a relaxing and enjoyable way to get around.
Make it your resolution this year to get on board with Orbus!
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Take your Bee Card with you this summer
The holidays are done and dusted for many of us, but if you’ve still got travel within New Zealand planned for this summer, remember to take your Bee Card with you! You can tag on and off the bus with your Bee Card in all nine participating regions, including Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Manawatū-Whanganui, Nelson, Invercargill, and – of course – Otago.
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