On Board with Orbus - August 2023

📢Welcome to our August edition, which includes information about news routes and bus stop changes across Dunedin and Queenstown.

If you have any feedback on what you'd like to include, please email comms@orc.govt.nz.

We’ve made your bus trips better 😀🚍

From 4 September, there will be some changes to four bus routes in Dunedin (Routes 3, 15, 77 and 78), and three bus routes in Queenstown (Routes 2, 3 and 5).

These changes are outlined below, plus you can keep an eye on our Orbus Dunedin and Orbus Queenstown Facebook pages or go to our website for more information.

New Mosgiel Express (Route 78) service

The Mosgiel Express is an exciting new Mosgiel–Dunedin direct weekday service for peak-time commuters that does not detour through Fairfield or Green Island. The service starts on September 4, 2023. 

To head into Dunedin City, head to the Mosgiel Terminus. The bus will then stop at the clocktower in Mosgiel before heading non-stop to the Bus Hub. It reverses the journey in the afternoon. 

Find out more here.

Other Dunedin bus improvements from 4 September

Extra weekday buses - Route 77 
An extra 15 trips per weekday to and from Mosgiel have been added into the bus schedule. The increased number of buses means more options for passengers in Mosgiel, Fairfield and Green Island to journey into and out of Dunedin City. 

Every 15 minutes at peak times 

Buses between Mosgiel and Dunedin will run every 15 minutes on weekdays in morning and afternoon peak hours.
 

Ridge Runner – Route 15 

There is now increased frequency on weekdays for the popular Ridge Runner service. 

30-minute service on weekdays 

The service which links North and South Dunedin via Highgate and Mornington will now run every 30 minutes on weekdays from early morning until 6.30 pm. 

Ocean Grove – Route 3 

Following consultation with residents, an updated route for the Route 3 bus in the Tainui / St Kilda area has been confirmed. Buses will travel direct down Victoria Road and will no longer run on Cavell or Marlow Streets.

New bus stops here:

1. Ocean Grove to Ross Creek (Route 3)

2. Princes Street
   
   

*Please note temporary stops may be in place until new stops are constructed. 

Better accessibility at Dunedin Hospital

There are improvements to accessibility for the bus stops right outside the hospital. This makes it easier for passengers to get to appointments and to visit people.

• Passengers can now use the bus to get to and from their hospital appointment.

• The bus stops are designed with accessible kerbing and buses that kneel (which means they lower closer to kerbing).

   

New bus stops and routes for Queenstown from 4 September

• Direct trips between Arthurs Point and Arrowtown - Route 2

  No more detours through Quail Rise. 

• New direct trips between Kelvin Heights and Quail Rise - Route 3

  A direct connection to Frankton shopping centres for Quail Rise passengers.

• More choice on Lake Hayes Estate trips - Route 5

  Extended route, new bus stops, new destinations. 

Queenstown Public Transport Business Case consultation

We are leading this work in partnership with our Way to Go partners and co-funders of the service, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (WK).  

ORC will be consulting on some options with the community in the second half of September. Details about how you can have your say will be included in our next newsletter.

In the meantime, you can find more information on the Queenstown Public Transport business case (QTPTBC) here. 

Big delays to buses due to roadworks and peak travel

⚠️ 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 delayed, go to: www.orc.govt.nz/public-transport.

A free phone number is also available:

Phone 0800 672 8736 for Dunedin information.
Phone 0800 672 8778 for Queenstown information.