Tuesday 10 November 2026
Otago Regional Council is making its first adjustments to Dunedin’s bus network following community feedback on the route and timetable changes introduced on 1 October.
Adjustments to some early weekday trips on two services will take effect from Monday, 16 November, following concerns raised by passengers about the impact of the changes.
Otago Regional Council Transport Portfolio Co-lead Cr Alan Somerville says the feedback received from passengers and communities has highlighted areas where the changes have had a bigger impact than anticipated.
“We know not all the changes introduced on 1 October have been well received, and we recognise that some have made travelling by bus more difficult for people.
“We didn’t get the changes right the first time. We have listened to what people have told us has made a problem for them and are working hard to put these things right.
“These first adjustments are a practical response to that feedback. We’re continuing to work through the wider range of concerns raised by passengers and communities, with the aim of developing a broader package of solutions.
“Some changes will take longer to work through, but we’ll continue to provide updates as we make progress.”
The Route 18 bus currently leaving Harington Point at 7.20am will depart 29 minutes earlier at 6.51am, stop in Portobello at 7.13am, and arrive at the Bus Hub at around 7.59am.
Please note, this trip won’t travel via Bayfield High School.
Students travelling to Bayfield High School will need to tag off the bus at Portobello and transfer to either the 7.28am or 7.43am bus.
All other trips on this service are unchanged.
The first Route 77 trip each weekday will depart 19 minutes earlier than, and replace, the first trip shown on the timetable.
The first departure from the Terminus will now be 6.00am and this trip will arrive at the Bus Hub at around 6.38am.
All other trips on this service are unchanged.
Cr Somerville says ORC has heard directly from communities about the impact of the network changes, including through its attendance at recent West Harbour and Otago Peninsula Community Board meetings.
“These conversations have been important in helping us understand how the changes are affecting people’s daily journeys, including the connections and travel times they rely on.
“We’re working through the issues raised and assessing potential solutions. Not every change will be able to happen straight away, but we want people to know their feedback is being heard and is informing what happens next.”
The 1 October changes were designed to improve reliability, connections, and services across the Dunedin network, including through updated timetables, new routes and additional school-day services.
ORC will continue to review the feedback received and provide further updates as decisions are made about potential adjustments.
Information about these two timetable changes, and the Dunedin bus network updates made 1 October 2026, is available at orc.govt.nz/dnbuschanges.
Most Dunedin bus timetables and routes changed on 1 October 2026. An overview of the changes for your route are on this page.
Find information on bus and ferry fares for adults, children, Community Service card holders and SuperGold card holders.
