Queenstown annual bus trips near two-million mark
People are jumping on the buses in Queenstown in record numbers with a 51% increase year-on-year.
Some 1,897,200 trips were taken on Orbus Queenstown from July 2023 to June 2024, exceeding all previous financial years.
The service is run by Otago Regional Council. Its Dunedin services are also being well used, up 21% to 3,397,245 - a six-year high.
Co-chair of Otago Regional Council’s Public and Active Transport Committee Alexa Forbes says patronage for the past financial year shows it has recovered well from recent Covid and driver shortage disruptions.
“It’s exciting to see numbers rising. The increase in both Queenstown and Dunedin shows people are making good use of our bus services – a growing trend in Otago.”
Total Mobility patronage for the last financial year showed an increase of 13% compared to the same period in 2022 - 2023. Total Mobility is a scheme administered by ORC that provides subsidised travel for people with disabilities.
The new Mosgiel express bus is boosting passenger numbers with nearly 17,531 passenger trips taken on the 78 service since it launched ten months ago.
The full report can be read within the agenda of the Public and Active Transport Committee agenda here: www.orc.govt.nz/councilagenda
