The Regional Public Transport Plan guides how Otago Regional Council will invest time and money into public transport for the next ten years (2025-2035). The plan aims to provide public transport solutions that are easy to understand and meet communities’ diverse needs. In short, public transport people want to use – more often.
New government expectations mean that we have some tough choices to make.
We value access, transport options and the economic, health and environmental benefits that a convenient, reliable and efficient public transport system delivers for our communities. However, we are now required to recover a greater share of public transport operating costs from private sources. This means we need to increase things like passenger fares and advertising or decrease our spending on services, which would mean fewer buses or removing some routes.
Feedback closes on 2 May 2025.
The draft Otago Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) is now open for consultation and closes 2 May 2025.
This is your opportunity to have your say on the plan's five focus areas for public transport including:
Passenger experience: Provide public transport services that respect the safety and wellbeing of all passengers.
Build trust: Ensure public transport projects align with community priorities.
Environmental sustainability: Invest in a public transport system that promotes positive outcomes regarding greenhouse gas emissions, pollutants and land use.
A connected and integrated network: Provide a reliable and convenient public transport system.
Value for money: Provide public transport services that are good value for money.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on any other parts of the plan too.
We’re considering bringing in community transport in these areas, such as non-profit community vehicle trusts run by volunteers.
We’re considering increasing the Bee Card adult fare from $2 to 2.50.
We’re considering changing to a zone fare system so different zones can have different fares.
We’re considering keeping free fares for children and standardising the youth discount (13-18 years) to 40% in Dunedin and Queenstown.
Come and join us for a chat with our team about our plan for public transport. We have several drop-in events around Otago
Our Draft Regional Public Transport Plan is out for feedback. You can talk to us in person and ask questions about the plan that will set the vision for public transport in Otago for the next 10 years. Topics in the plan include:
No need to book in - just turn up at the scheduled event with your questions, thoughts and feedback.
Date: Tuesday, 25 March
Time: 2—4pm
Venue:
Clyde St rest area
50 Clyde Street
Balcutha
Date: Wednesday, 2 April
Time: 12–1pm
Venue:
Alexandra Public Library
43 Tarbert Street
Date: Wednesday, 2 April
Time: 2.30–3.30pm
Venue:
Cromwell Primary School
61 Molyneux Avenue
Date: Thursday, 3 April
Time: 12–2pm
Venue:
Queenstown Lakes District Council Library
10 Gorge Road
Date: Thursday, 3 April
Time: 4–6pm
Venue:
Queenstown Events Centre
Joe Oconnell Drive
Date: Friday, 4 April
Time: 10.30am–12.30pm
Venue: Wastebusters
Ballantyne Road
Date: Thursday, 3 April
Time: 12.30–2.30pm
Venue:
Lorne Street play/rest area
168 King Edward Street
(Corner Lorne Street and King Edward Street)
Date: Wednesday, 9 April
Time: 1–3pm
Venue:
Mosgiel Library
7 Hartstonge Avenue
Date: Thursday, 17 April
Time: 12–2pm
Venue:
Octagon carriageway
The Octagon
Date: Thursday, 10 April
Time: 11.30am–1.30pm
Venue:
Ōamaru Library and Council Service Centre
62 Thames Street
Date: Thursday, 10 April
Time: 2–3pm
Venue:
Main Entrance
Ōamaru Hospital
8 Steward Street
24 March: Feedback begins
25 March—16 April: In-person consultation sessions
2 May: Feedback closes
12—16 May: In-person and online hearings. Opportunity to tell our elected members more about your feedback
19—30 May: Council considers feedback
June/July: Council considers adopting the plan
March 2025
PDF | 1 MB
This is a summary of the Otago Regional Public Transport Plan (2025-2035). The full plan is a blueprint for how people move around our region.
March 2025
PDF | 4 MB
This plan covers many public transport topics, including how we will improve passenger experience, connect communities throughout our region, set our bus fares, plan our bus routes and fund public transport.
The draft Otago Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) is now open for consultation and closes 2 May 2025.
Give your feedback on the Regional Public Transport Plan 2025–2035. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the focus areas, transport in rural areas, fare structures, and any other thoughts you have on improving public transport in Otago. Feedback closes 2 May 2025.
Hearings will take place in the week beginning 12 May 2025. This is where the councillors will listen to verbal submissions on the plan. You can watch these live on the ORC YouTube channel, please subscribe to be notified.