Two million bus trips
Passengers took nearly two million trips on Queenstown buses over 12 months.
Figures show the number of trips from July 2024 to July 2025 was up 4% on the previous period, and up 33% on 2018-19.
August 2024 and January 2025 were the busiest months, and there was record patronage across 10 of the 12 months.
However, revenue was down 4% to $3.1 million, due to NZTA subsidies declining, and there are fewer people travelling on the ferry.
The Queenstown ferry operation saw a 4% decline in patronage to 71,123 passengers for the year, while revenue was down 1% to $772,775.
Bus usage in Dunedin was also at a seven-year high, with more than 3.4 million trips on the services down there, also managed by Otago Regional Council.
Cr Alexa Forbes, co-chair of the Public and Active Transport Committee, says patronage over the past year shows Otago continues to experience strong public transport growth.
"We’re really pleased to see full year patronage numbers have exceeded the previous year, especially as the removal of subsidies can create challenges for our public transport community," Forbes says.
"It’s also heartening to see our patronage numbers compare favourably with other mid-size NZ cities. The increase in both Queenstown and Dunedin shows people are making good use of our bus services – a growing trend in Otago.”
Fare revenue in Dunedin for the year was down 8% to $4.1 million
Total Mobility patronage was up 15% in patronage for the year, rising to 142,312 trips. The trip costs are shared between the passenger, ratepayer and taxpayer.
The public transport patronage and revenue data is being presented to ORC’s Public and Active Transport Committee today, Wednesday, 3 September, for noting.
The report and meeting agenda can be read at www.orc.govt.nz/councilagenda
