On Board with Orbus - October 2023

📢Welcome to our October edition, which includes an update about the Port Chalmers bus route in Dunedin and some tips to help visitors get around Queenstown this summer.

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

Extra buses on Port Chalmers route for the cruise ship season

Around 300 extra bus trips will be added to and from Port Chalmers (Route 14) this cruise ship season. 

With a bumper cruise ship season bringing thousands of tourists to Dunedin this summer, Otago Regional Council and the Orbus team have been working closely with the West Harbour Community Board to plan for high demand for the route on busier days. 

To ensure there’s space, Orbus buses will leave the first stop at Port Chalmers with some room left for passengers at later stops.  

We’re encouraging cruise ship passengers to get on and off the bus at Centre City New World to reduce crowding in the Bus Hub area. When heading to Port Chalmers, locals will still get on at the usual stop at the Bus Hub before the bus stops at New World. Buses will leave with standing room for Logan Park students.  

While we are increasing services, the busiest days will still put pressure on the buses, so we recommend you keep up to date with our information on Facebook, the ORC website, or the Transit App.

Top Tip: plan for an earlier bus, if possible, to ensure you get to your destination on time. 

Busy days for your diary: 

• Friday 17 November 

• Monday 1 January (Public Holiday) 

• Sunday 14 January (Weekend) 

• Monday 5 February 

• Saturday 17 February (Weekend) 

• Tuesday 20 February 

• Monday 26 February 

• Thursday 7 March 

Image: Port Chalmers

Getting around Queenstown with Orbus over summer

Summer holidays are just around the corner, so here are some tips about how to make the most of the Orbus network and Bee Card discounts. The public bus and ferry service is an easy and affordable way to explore Queenstown and Arrowtown — especially with a registered Bee Card! Here’s some handy information for your summer visitors.

Image: Shotover Bridge

Travelling around the Queenstown area by bus

There are five different bus routes to choose from in the Queenstown area, and all these buses travel through the Frankton Bus Hub, making this a perfect transfer stop.

• You can find all bus route information here.

   

• You can find fare information here.

• You can track your bus with the Transit App. Download it for free.

Top Tip: Remember that you can transfer to another Orbus bus for free so long as it’s within 45 minutes of you tagging off the first bus. You can pay for your fare with a Bee Card or cash. Bank and credit cards cannot be used on buses.

Travelling across Lake Whakatipu by ferry

You can also use your Bee Card on the daily ferry service, operated by Queenstown Ferries, which travels between Queenstown Bay and the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa with stops at Bayview and Frankton Marina.

• You can find all ferry route and fare information here.

• Stay up to date with the latest ferry service information here.

Top Tip: Remember there are no free transfers between the bus and ferry services, and only bank and credit cards or Bee Cards can be used to pay for ferry fares. Cash cannot be used on ferries.

Travelling to and from the Queenstown Airport

The bus can be a great way to travel to and from Queenstown Airport —Route 1 buses stop at the airport as they travel between Sunshine Bay and the Remarkables Park shopping centre, via the Frankton Bus Hub. This service runs approximately every 15 minutes, seven days a week between 6am and 1am.

Top Tip: Airport passengers can purchase a Bee Card from Paper Plus at Queenstown Airport. Remember that only cash or Bee Cards can be used to pay for bus fares. Bank and credit cards cannot be used on buses. Find fare information here.

Are you or your visitors travelling to other parts of New Zealand this summer?

Make sure you take your Bee Card with you! It is accepted in ten different regions, including Otago (Queenstown and Dunedin). Find out where you can use your Bee Card here.

Have you registered your Bee Card?

The benefits of registering your Bee Card include cheaper fares, the ability to top up online and manage more than one Bee Card with a linked account, and the easy replacement of lost or stolen cards.

Top Tip: A Bee Card costs $5, and when purchased, it also needs to be topped up with a minimum of $5. Find out where you can purchase or top up your Bee Card in Queenstown and Dunedin here.

Mosgiel bus survey coming soon

We’re keen to find out what you think about our Mosgiel routes. Do you use Route 77 or Route 78 to travel between Mosgiel and Dunedin Central? Or do you use Route 80 /81 to travel around Mosgiel? If so, please keep an eye out in November for an upcoming survey on our Orbus Dunedin page.  

Big delays to buses ongoing 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.