Welcome to our March 2026 edition, which includes information about free buses for the South Dunedin Street Festival, University of Otago Orientation Week, March Madness, Queenstown bus delays and detours, Easter buses, getting a half-price fare if you have a Community Services Card, and taking the ferry in Queenstown — plus tips on how to find out if your bus is cancelled.
If you have any feedback, please email comms@orc.govt.nz.
Free buses for South Dunedin Street Festival
The festival is on Saturday, 14 March, and we’re offering free bus rides to and from the event on certain routes.
The bus routes with free buses between 9am and 5pm are:
- Route 8 in both directions: St Clair – City – Normanby
- Route 15 in both directions: Ridge Runner
- Route 33 in both directions: Corstorphine – Caversham – City – Wakari
- Route 44 in both directions: St Kilda – City – Halfway Bush
- Route 55 in both directions: St Kilda – City – Brockville
NOTE: you need to tell the bus driver that you are going TO or FROM the festival (no need to tag on/off with your Bee Card) during the 9am–5pm period.
Helping students get around Dunedin
A warm welcome to University of Otago students!
During Orientation Week, the Orbus team was at Tent City giving out bus information to about 2000 students – and our Bee Card definitely made a buzz.
Students learned how to bus to the most popular destinations in Dunedin and how to get around easily (and cheaply).
Dunedin City Council, Dunedin Public Libraries and Flamingo Scooters joined us to talk about walking, cycling and scootering.
Wishing all students a fantastic and successful 2026.
March Madness
This is an extremely busy time of the year for public transport in Dunedin and Queenstown.
With school, work and tertiary students all back, buses are filling up. Please be patient during this busy period.
Queenstown bus delays and detours
Our buses are often delayed due to heavy traffic, roadworks and detours around the Frankton Bus Hub.
Track your bus in real time on our website or via the Transit app.
Heavy traffic in Queenstown
Easter and Anzac Day bus schedule
Good Friday – 3 April 2026: Orbus not running
Easter Sunday – 5 April 2026: Orbus not running
Easter Monday – 6 April 2026: Public holiday timetable (Sunday schedule)
Anzac Day – 25 April 2026: Public holiday timetable (Sunday schedule)
In Queenstown, services run as normal.
Bee Card concession with Community Services Card
CSC holders can apply for the Community Connect concession for half-price fares.
Take the lake: Queenstown scenic shortcut
The ferry offers a relaxing 20-minute cruise with views of Lake Whakatipu and surrounding mountains.
How do I find out if my bus is cancelled?
Busy cruise season
79 cruise ships are expected in Port Chalmers before 15 April.
