Welcome to our April 2026 edition, which includes information about cost-effective public transport, the Ōamaru community shuttle, a proposed public transport service between Ōamaru and Dunedin, and getting your kids ready to catch the bus.
If you have any feedback, please email comms@orc.govt.nz.
Public transport cost effective
With fuel prices putting increasing pressure on household budgets, the Orbus network provides an affordable way for people to get to work, school, healthcare, shopping and entertainment without the ongoing costs of fuel, parking and vehicle wear and tear.
In Dunedin and Queenstown, an Orbus adult bus fare with a Bee Card is $2.50. This is a big saving in transport costs, especially for people travelling from outlying areas like Mosgiel, Brighton, Palmerston, Portobello or Arrowtown. As well as helping people save money, it reduces congestion and avoids parking hassles. Word is spreading, and you may have noticed new faces on your bus as more people choose to leave the car at home.
Point your friends, family and workmates to this info on everything they need to know about catching the bus.
Ōamaru community shuttle extended
The community transport trial in Ōamaru has been extended until 30 September 2026. More than 200 people used the service, making 136 trips, in its first four months. It would not have been possible without the support of the Ōamaru Community Shuttle Steering Group, whose volunteers have contributed more than 1300 hours to the trial.
An evaluation of the trial will be presented to Council later this year.
Bookings can be made by phoning 027 214 4131. Learn more here.
Husband and wife Ken and Sheryl who share the driving for the Oamaru community shuttle
Seeking feedback on proposed Ōamaru–Dunedin Orbus service
Otago Regional Council is considering running a once-a-day public transport service between Ōamaru and Dunedin.
Unlike the Ōamaru–Dunedin community shuttle trial operating until 30 September, the public transport service being considered would be operated by Orbus on full-size buses.
The proposed service would operate once a day from Ōamaru to Dunedin and back to Ōamaru.
We’d like to know your thoughts about this proposed service — complete our survey here by 6 May.
If the proposed service is approved by Council, it could start before the end of 2026.
Are your kids bus ready?
Term 2 starts next week — and getting your kids to school by bus is easy with a little preparation. If they’re using the public bus service for the first time, try these tips:
- Practise the route before their first trip so they feel confident
- See if they can travel with a buddy
- Register their Bee Card for a cheaper child concession and top up their card
- Show them how to use their Bee Card before they travel
- Learn how the bus works together (i.e. signalling the driver, stopping the bus and where to get off)
- Learn how to use the free Transit app and the Orbus website to track buses — they will show you where buses are during a bus journey
- Plan — have a back-up plan if they miss the bus.
Being ready helps everyone have a smooth start to the day!
Find more tips here to help you use Dunedin and Queenstown’s public bus service (and the ferry service in Queenstown).
Queenstown bus delays and detours
Our Orbus buses are frequently stuck in heavy traffic in Queenstown. Ongoing roadworks and detours around the Frankton Bus Hub area can also cause delays, especially at peak times.
Remember that you can track your bus to see where it is in real time on our website or via the Transit app.
Find more information here about bus detours in Queenstown.
Free transfer within 45 minutes
Did you know you can transfer between two buses for free if you do it within 45 minutes of tagging off the first bus? If you’re a Bee Card holder taking two buses in a single trip, you only need to pay for a single fare if you tag off your first bus and tag on to your second bus within 45 minutes.
More information here.
