On Board with Orbus - March 2023 edition

Big delays to buses due to roadworks

⚠️ Heads up passengers - there are 15–20-minute delays to buses during peak times in both Dunedin and Queenstown. To find out if your bus is cancelled or simply delayed, tap on the red banner at: www.orc.govt.nz/orbusdn. If it doesn't show up there, then it is delayed by traffic.

What's causing these delays?
More roadworks and more cars on the road. Also, the combination of driver illness and the holiday period have worked together to mean fewer drivers are on the road right now.  

We are currently short about 25 bus drivers short across Dunedin and Queenstown but in coming weeks, 16 of those vacancies will be filled. Our operators have let us know they have new drivers coming into the country over the next two months and who will be trained up and put into service as soon as possible. 

What does it mean?
It means your bus may not be showing up on the Transit app. This is because tracking is complex, and multiple diversions along with other factors (e.g., delays, congestion, etc.) can cause buses to drop off the Transit App temporarily – or permanently on a particular service. So, if you can’t see your bus, it may just be travelling along a diversion and should show up again on Transit when it is back onto the normal route.

More drivers are on their way

We are currently short about 25 drivers across Dunedin and Queenstown but in coming weeks, 16 of those vacancies will be filled. Our operators have let us know they have new drivers coming into the country over the next two months who will be trained up and put into service as soon as possible. Please make them feel welcome 

A reminder – please remain kind and respectful to our drivers

Our drivers are doing a great job getting Dunedin back to a regular timetable, with over 97% of services running to schedule, and we thank them for their outstanding mahi! 

We know the return to the regular timetable has seen a few cancellations. It’s tough when a bus you expect doesn’t turn up. However, please remain kind and respectful to our drivers.

While most passengers are respectful, a small number of customers are treating our drivers poorly, so we ask that you please help them out by respecting the work they do – and respecting them as well.

Drivers are people too, doing their job and their best to help you get where you need to be safely.

Refer to our Code of Conduct for more information. Note that CCTV is always in operation on our buses.

Otago University students orientate themselves with Orbus

Our Orbus team recently attended the University of Otago's Orientation Week where more than 800 students visited us at 'Tent City' to find out how to get around Dunedin easily – and cheaply!

New bus stops for Arrowtown route

We have added four new bus stops to the Arrowtown route (Route 2), which are located here:

1. Outside and opposite Mora Wines and Artisan Kitchen on Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road.
2. On both sides of the road by the intersection of Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road and Malaghans Road.