On Board with Orbus - May 2024

Welcome to our May edition, which tells you about a big rise in bus passengers across the region, some of the public feedback we’ve received following our recent consultations, and timetable changes for Queenstown Ferries. It also includes top tips about finding your fare online and for catching a bus in winter.

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

Rise in numbers using buses in Dunedin and Queenstown

📢 Hey, Dunedin and Queenstown — did you know that more people are getting on board? Our stats show catching the bus is a growing trend in these areas, with numbers continuing to rise. 

Patronage from July 2023 to March 2024 was at a six-year high, showing it has recovered well from recent Covid and driver shortage disruptions.  

In Dunedin, there were over 2.5 million bus trips during the nine-month period. March was the highest month on record for Dunedin. February and March saw record patronage days in Dunedin, with daily trips exceeding 14,000 on several days.  

In Queenstown, people took more than 1.4 million bus trips in the same period. There was record patronage in January, February and March. 

Thank you for hopping on board and supporting us! Read the full story here.

Feedback on transport in our region  

Otago-Southland Regional Land Transport Plan
We heard from more than 50 people about their views on transport activities in Otago and Southland during our consultation on the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP).

The Otago-Southland RLTP guides transport activities in our regions and must be developed every six years and reviewed every three years.

People told us whether they thought the transport plan is still meeting the wider community’s needs. This feedback will help NZTA Waka Kotahi prioritise how transport is funded for the regions.

Hearings will be held in Dunedin on 24 May and in Invercargill on 4 June. Find out more here.

Otago Regional Council Long-Term Plan
Public transport was one of the key themes in more than 400 submissions on OTC’s Long-Term Plan. There was a lot of commentary about whether the council should stop, change or pause public transport spending.

People were also interested in proposals around transport trials in towns such as Wānaka and Oamaru, while some asked for the reintroduction of train services in Otago, and others supported a bus service between Balclutha and Dunedin.

In Dunedin, people requested more frequent and reliable buses, extended service hours and expanded routes to underserved areas such as Outram and Dunedin airport.

People in Queenstown felt investment was needed in the town’s public transport systems due to traffic congestion to reduce emissions and to extend service hours. They also wanted public transport to support local activities, such as swim clubs.

Public hearings for 53 submitters wishing to present their views in person will take place on 20-21 May. These are May 20, QLDC Council Chambers in Queenstown, and May 21, Philip Laing House in Dunedin. More information is on our website.

After the council has considered all submissions, it will meet to make final decisions about the consulted proposals on 29 and 30 May. The final Long-Term Plan will then be prepared for Council adoption on 26 June. Implementation of the Plan begins 1 July 2024. You can read all the submissions here.

Catching the bus in winter

Now cold weather has really kicked in, our bus operators are regularly assessing road and driving conditions and informing us of delays, changes and cancellations.  

We then share this information with our bus users via regular bus alerts at 

www.orc.govt.nz/bus-alerts.

You can also track your ride and plan your trip with the Transit app, which is free to download from the App Store and Google Play and easy to use. Download the Transit app for free.

Please take care while walking to and from your bus stop. Here are some helpful tips:

• If it’s dark at your stop – use your phone to wave down the driver.  

• Roads and footpaths may be slippery – don’t rush to your stop, leave a few minutes earlier.

• Put down your phone – look where you’re going.

• Get a grip – avoid shoes with slippery soles.

Wondering what your bus fare is?

There’s been a few changes to bus fares since 1 May, so we’ve got a nifty Fare Finder to help you find what fares will be like for you and your whānau. Simply select your age group and options to see which bus fare option could be applied to you or someone you know.

Use our Fare Finder now.

Timetable changes for Queenstown Ferries

On 1 May, Queenstown Ferries stopped operating the following services on Mondays through to Thursdays until further notice:

Departing Queenstown: 7.45pm, 8.45pm, 9.45pm.

Departing Frankton: 8.15pm, 9.15pm,10.15pm.

Check for regular ferry service updates on the Queenstown Ferries Facebook page.

Frankton intersection and Bus Hub improvements project

This recently announced Queenstown upgrade package will see significant investment in local infrastructure, including improvements to the Frankton Bus Hub, from the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Work includes:

• Upgrading the SH6 and 6A intersection to traffic signals

• Doubling the size of the Frankton Bus Hub

• Adding traffic signals at the entry and exit to the Hub to provide more efficient access for buses

• Adding traffic lights at the SH6 intersection with Joe O’Connell Drive to coordinate with the Frankton intersection traffic lights

• Building a roundabout at the intersection of SH6 and Howards Drive.

We will be working closely with Waka Kotahi to reduce any impacts on the bus service during this time. You can find out more about this project by visiting Waka Kotahi’s website here.

Cruise ship season improvements 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the past cruise ship season, which ended in April. 

Otago Regional Council and the Orbus team worked with the West Harbour Community Board, Port Otago and the Dunedin City Council to roll out ways to meet high demand on Route 14 during cruise ship days. Improvements included:  

• selling cash bus tickets to cruise passengers from the Port Chalmers Library to reduce delays on buses.

• putting on about 300 extra bus trips on Route 14, to and from Port Chalmers  

• leaving room for local passengers along the route during cruise days. 

• encouraging cruise ship passengers to get on and off the bus at Centre City New World to reduce crowding in the Bus Hub. 

• leaving standing room for Logan Park High School students. 
  
  

We’ll be looking at even more improvements next cruise season, beginning in November when we look forward to welcoming new cruise visitors to Dunedin. 

Reminder — Kings Birthday bus timetables

Dunedin: Buses will run on the Sunday (holiday) timetable on Monday 3 June.

Queenstown: Buses will run on the usual timetable on Monday 3 June.

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 simply 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.