On Board with Orbus - August 2024

Welcome to our August edition, which tells you about another big rise in bus passengers across the region, night bus detours in Queenstown, and a bus stop trial in Waitati.

Also, learn how you can confidentially report anti-social behaviour — and have you visited our new Orbus website yet?

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

Bus passenger numbers continue to rise in Dunedin and Queenstown

Passenger numbers have continued to climb. In the 12-months ending June 2024, they increased 21% (more than 3.39 million bus trips) in Dunedin and 51% (more than 1.8 million bus trips) in Queenstown.

Co-chair of Otago Regional Council’s Public and Active Transport Committee Alexa Forbes says patronage for the past financial year shows it has recovered well from recent Covid and driver shortage disruptions.

“It’s exciting to see numbers rising. The increase in both Queenstown and Dunedin shows people are making good use of our bus services – a growing trend in Otago.”  

The new Mosgiel express bus is boosting passenger numbers, with nearly 17,531 passenger trips taken on the Route 78 service since it launched 10 months ago.

Cr Forbes says May 2024 saw record patronage figures in Dunedin, with 337,078 trips recorded.

Queenstown services are also being well used, with patronage exceeding all previous years, says Cr Forbes.

Total Mobility patronage for the last financial year showed an increase of 13% compared to the same period in 2022–2023. Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme that helps people to keep engaged with their community by supporting their daily transport needs.

The scheme is administered by regional councils and provides subsidised taxis for people with long-term impairments that prevent them from using public transport safely and reliably.

Thank you for hopping on board and supporting us!

Night detours for Queenstown bus passengers

📢 Attention, Queenstown passengers! Buses stopping at the Frankton Bus Hub after 10pm may follow detours due to road closures in August and September.

Stay updated on detours and route changes here.

Key points to remember:

• Between 10pm and 6am Queenstown buses may be following detours. 

• Detours will change as the night works progress – but no bus stops will be missed.

• Changing buses at the Frankton Bus Hub? Let your driver know so they can tell the other drivers if buses are delayed.  

We are working with the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to keep you moving while this infrastructure work happens.

Night works on Frankton Road – Sunday, 25 August to Friday, 6 September

As part of the Queenstown Town Centre Arterial Stage 1 project, Frankton Road (around the Suburb Street end) will be reduced to a single lane between 8pm and 6am.  

Please let your bus driver know if you are transferring to another bus at the Frankton Bus Hub so they can communicate with the other driver if buses are running behind schedule due to these road works.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause our passengers. This work is part of the Town Centre Arterial project, managed by Kā Huanui a Tāhuna.

What to expect:

• Sunday, 1 September, between 8pm and 6am (morning of Monday, 2 September) to Thursday, 5 September (morning of Friday, 6 September).

  • Single lane with stop/go in operation between 8pm and 6am.

Bus stop trial for Waitati township

Northbound passengers catching the Dunedin city to Palmerston bus service can use a new, temporary bus stop in Waitati, as well as the stop on State Highway 1 near the On the Spot store.

The trial stop on Harvey Street aims to make it safer for passengers when they get off the bus, as they won’t need to cross the highway.

The trial, which will initially run until 30 September, will help the council decide whether it is effective and if it could become a permanent solution. 

The return Palmerston–Dunedin city bus heading south will pick up at the existing bus stop opposite the On the Spot store, without looping into the township.

Find out more here.

See it, report it

If you have experienced or witnessed any anti-social behaviour that breaches our Code of Conduct, please let our customer support team know.

You can contact our team:

• Phone: 0800 474 082 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).

• Email: customerservices@orc.govt.nz.

• Message us via our website.

• Message us via our Facebook page.

In an emergency, contact police on 111. If it’s not an emergency, call 105 or go online to 105.police.govt.nz.  Please also let our Customer Service team know about an incident as soon as it’s safe for you to do so.

Find out more about the behaviours we expect on the bus at www.orc.govt.nz/buscodeofconduct.

Have you visited the new Orbus website yet?

🚍 Get on board with the new, mobile-friendly Orbus website!

The Otago Regional Council has launched a new website that makes the Orbus information look and feel like a mobile app.

There is improved design and navigation, helping you to find information easier and faster while on the go. Check out the new Orbus section now.

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.