Bus use up 55% but still down on pre-Covid

More than 1.25 million passenger trips were made on Queenstown's Orbus in the past financial year, up 55% on the previous 12 months.

Patronage data reported to the Otago Regional Council’s Public and Active Transport Committee shows the huge increase, despite the service running a reduced timetable for much of financial year.

Timetable services were slashed in late July 2022 due to a driver shortage and only resumed on 1 June, 2023. The financial year (fiscal and financial reporting) runs 1 July to 30 June.

The removal of Covid-border restrictions have likely had an impact on the figures. There is actually 15% reduction in the number of passengers using buses compared to pre-Covid.

"We're pleased to report that the number of trips made by bus is increasing across Otago," ORC’s Manager Transport Lorraine Cheyne says.

"We will continue to monitor changes in bus patronage following the fare subsidies that came into effect on July 1 when the national half price fares scheme ended.

The half price fare scheme won't have had a huge impact for Queenstown bus users, as the service is capped at a $2 fare.

Anyone younger than 13 can now travel for free, while there are a range of other discounts.

"Passengers are urged to check out the Community Connect information on the ORC website to see if they are eligible for discounted fares."

ORC also runs the Dunedin service, where there was an 18% increase in passengers, with nearly 2.8 million trips made - that's a 10% increase on pre-Covid numbers.

Dunedin's reduced timetable ran for six months, returning to a full service on 1 February 2023.