BUS 101 - Everything you need to know to get around town on the bus.

Start by purchasing a Bee Card for a one-off cost of $5. Then top-up at least $5 (this prepays your fare).

You can get a Bee Card

• online at www.BeeCard.co.nz,
• on the bus (CASH only) 
• ORC offices
• Bee Card retailers

Remember to register it by going online here.

Dunedin

• ORC office: Level 2, 144 Rattray Street, Philip Laing House Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm
  (Cash or EFTPOS only)

Dunedin retailers

• Dunedin City Council Civic Customer Service Centres 
• Mosgiel Library and Service Centre
• Port Chalmers Library and Service Centre
• Blueskin Bay Library and Service Centre
• Waikouaiti Library and Service Centre
• University Bookshops (all Dunedin locations)

Queenstown

• Otago Regional Council
  Terrace Junction, 1092 Frankton Road 
  Monday to Friday: 8am to 1pm; 2pm to 4pm
  Closed on public holidays
  (EFTPOS only)

Queenstown retailers

• i-SITE at 22 Shotover Street, in The Clocktower Building
• Paper Plus Queenstown Airport
• RealNZ kiosk at Earnslaw Park, by the Queenstown Ferries stop
• Hilton Queenstown

On the bus

• You can buy a Bee Card while on board the bus, along with topping up your Bee Card with credit (minimum $5 top up). Note: You can only buy a Bee Card or top up on the bus using cash only.

Online

• Or order online at www.beecard.co.nz (with a minimum $5 top up)

When purchasing a Bee Card from a retailer or on the bus, please note it can take up to 12 hours before you can register the card and add concessions.

We recommend waiting until the next day. If you topped up when you purchased the card, you can use the funds straight away. 

Click here to see routes or tap in your location to get the best results.

You can also use Transit, Google maps or Apple Maps to see which buses suit your journey.

Orbus routes can be tracked in real time through Transit, the free-to-download travel app. You can also plan your journey and get general alerts. 

For up to the minute alerts on bus disruptions on specific routes, go to the ORC public transport webpage, notifications and alerts. Once you search for alerts selecting location and route, your browser will remember. 

Pricing for Queenstown and Dunedin is on the fares page. 

Head to your nearest stop and be ready five minutes before the scheduled time.

You can track your bus with Transit, which shows Orbus buses travelling in real time. We still recommend getting to your stop early by at least 5-10 minutes. Download transit free of charge here. 

When you see the bus driving toward the stop with the correct number, hail the driver (wave or raise your hand).

Don’t worry if the bus doesn’t have an Orbus logo. If your bus number and destination is on the bus, that’s the one you want.

Don’t forget, conditions such as traffic, accidents and weather (even other passengers) can all affect the bus service, so at times they may be late. Check alerts on the ORC website for changes to specific routes. 

We encourage everyone to wear a mask if they are feeling unwell.

Get on the bus, hold your Bee Card against the ticketing machine scanner and wait for the beep.

If you don't have a Bee Card, you can get one from the driver, or pay for the fare with cash. 

You can also talk to the driver about where to get off.

When your stop is coming up, press one of the red buttons near your seat to signal the driver you want to get off. Try to press it after the last stop, instead of just before your stop so the driver has time to slow down and indicate.

Tag your Bee Card off as you depart (at the front or back off the bus). 

Don't forget to thank the driver!!

Register your Bee Card

There are benefits to registering a Bee Card such as being able to top up credit online.

If you are 5-24 years old, or a hold a Community Services Card or SuperGold Card, register your Bee Card to get a discounted concessionary fare.

To get a concession you need to register your Bee Card here.

Find out more here.

You can take a bus without a Bee Card but will need to pay the cash price. 

Please note that you can't use a bank card (eftPOS) or credit card on the bus, only cash or a Bee Card are accepted. 

Visit the Otago Public Transport Fares page to get the current rates for your fare type.