Welcome to our December 2024 edition, which includes information about public holiday timetables, the bus bike rack restriction, and Dunedin Bus Hub disruptions.

If you have any feedback, please email comms@orc.govt.nz.

Dunedin Bus Hub disruptions 

Bus stop and footpath closures December 2024-February 2025

Part of the footpath on one side of the Dunedin Bus Hub is closed due to construction of the new six-storey building beside the hub, which will house Pacific Radiology. This partial closure will be in place until 31 December 2024.  

From 1 January to 7 February 2025, Bus Hub Stops B and C will be closed, and affected passengers redirected to other stops. Signs will be in place. All other bus stops will be open. Great King Street at the hub will be closed to traffic, apart from buses and emergency services.

Thanks for your understanding while these closures are in place. 

Bus bike rack restriction

There is a temporary restriction on the use of bike racks on Orbus buses, which also applies across many other regions in NZ. It has been issued by the Bus and Coach Association on behalf of bus operators across NZ, following a safety notice from NZTA. It says that carrying bikes can potentially obscure headlamps on some bus models.  

This means bike racks on the front of Orbus buses will be temporarily disabled while we test the buses and make changes to ensure compliance. We will let you know when the restriction is lifted. Find out more here.

Queenstown Ferries evening services

Ahoy there, Queenstown Ferries passengers! 

Great news — three evening services have now returned to the weekly schedule from Mondays to Thursdays. This means the ferries are running at these times seven days a week: 

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

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

You can view the full timetable here and keep up to date with regular ferry service updates on the Queenstown Ferries Facebook page 

Busy cruise days

Cruise ship season is in full swing, with 81 cruise ships expected to arrive in Port Chalmers before 9 April 2025.

Extra buses are running on Route 14 between Port Chalmers and the city to meet demand; however, on the busiest days, you will need to plan ahead to make sure you get the bus. 

Busiest days in December and January:

• Tuesday 24 December

• Sunday 29 December

• Saturday 18 January 

Please check here for a schedule showing additional buses, visit the Orbus Dunedin Facebook page, or call the customer service team on 0800 ORBUSDN (0800 672 8736) 

Electric bus update

Did you know we are planning to transition all Dunedin and Queenstown buses from diesel to electric in the next few years?

This will happen in phases as we sign new contracts with bus operators.

So far, we have introduced 11 electric buses (e-buses) to the Dunedin fleet, servicing routes 5/6, 10/11 and 15. Transport is a major contributor to Otago’s total emissions. Our 11 e-buses are reducing fuel consumption by nearly 240,000 litres of diesel a year and improving air quality — a significant contribution towards Dunedin’s 2030 zero carbon goals.   

In mid-2025, we will introduce another 13 e-buses to Mosgiel, Brighton, Green Island and Fairfield services (routes 70, 77, 78, 80 and 81).  

Our passengers tell us they like e-buses because they are a smoother, quieter ride and they feel they are contributing to a healthier environment. Learn more here.

More e-signs for Dunedin, Queenstown bus stops

A total of 50 more solar-powered electronic signs are being installed in Dunedin and Queenstown next year, giving people real-time tracking information about buses. 

E-signs have already been installed at several Dunedin stops and at Queenstown Airport. They are designed to provide real-time updates on bus arrival times, helping passengers plan their journeys more efficiently, and reduce waiting times at bus stops. Here is how they work: 

• Solar power: They are solar-powered, reducing the need for external power sources and making them environmentally friendly.

• Real-time data: They display real-time information about bus arrivals. This data is collected from GPS devices on the buses and is updated every 30 seconds. 

• Audio button: Audio is available for blind/low vision users. 

• User friendly: They are easy to read and understand. 

Results of ORC’s recent bus stop audit determined the locations of the new batch of e-signs.