For the safety, comfort and convenience of our passengers, the Otago Regional Council has worked with bus companies to develop a set of guidelines on what you can and can't take on the bus.
Below is a table outlining what can be taken onboard a bus.
|
Item |
Can take on bus? |
Additional information |
|
Bikes |
Yes |
All urban buses now have bike racks so you have more options for getting around town – and your bike travels for free. |
|
Mobility/motorised scooters |
No |
These are not allowed on the bus. |
|
Pets |
Yes |
Pets are allowed on buses, with some conditions. Further information about pets on buses. |
|
Pushchairs and strollers |
Yes |
If requested by your bus driver, please fold your pram or stroller to make room for others. |
|
Scooters, skates and skateboards |
Yes |
All items must be carried on by hand. If possible, scooters should be folded before boarding. Skates may not be worn. |
|
Service dogs |
Yes |
This includes guide and hearing dogs, and puppies in training. Your dog must be on a lead and sit on the floor. |
|
Skis or snowboards |
If there is room available. At driver discretion. |
Buses fill up quickly and sometimes there is not enough room. Your driver will let you know. You may have to wait for the next bus. Ski bus services can be booked via NZ Ski, Cardrona and Treble Cone. |
|
Suitcases |
If there is room available. At driver discretion. |
Buses fill up quickly and sometimes there is not enough room. Your driver will let you know. You might have to wait for the next bus. |
|
Surfboards |
No |
There is not enough room for surfboards on the bus. Bike racks cannot be used to carry surfboards as they are for bikes only. |
|
Wheelchairs |
Yes |
View our accessibility information for more details about wheelchairs on buses. |
Within reason, other items can be taken on board, however space can be limited so please check with the bus operator before you travel.
No eating, drinking or smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is allowed on buses at any time.
Food or drinks may be brought onto the bus provided the items are in a closed container.
Unsuitable items include:
- Fragile or delicate items that are not sufficiently packaged to withstand carriage by bus
- Full or empty containers of flammable fuels, such petrol/diesel containers, LPG cylinders and other gas bottles
- Explosives including fireworks and any type of firearm or offensive weapon
- Poisonous, toxic, or hazardous substance
- Vehicle batteries
- Animals (except in accordance with Council’s Code of Conduct for bus passengers and what is mentioned below)
- Large items that won’t fit between seats
- Any other item deemed unsafe by the bus driver or bus company.
Passengers are solely responsible for ensuring that their property is secure while on the bus.
Neither the bus operator or the Otago Regional Council accepts any responsibility whatsoever for any loss or damage to your property however caused.
Disability assist dogs can travel for free on Orbus at any time of the day, when accompanied by their disabled handler or someone involved with their training. This is specified under the Dog Control Act 1996.
Customers are expected to give up priority seats if asked by the assistance dog's handler.
Assistance dogs must sit on the floor beside you or under your seat, not on a seat or on your lap. Assistance dogs are not required to be in pet carriers like domestic pets.
Domestic pets, such as dogs, are allowed to travel free on Orbus, however they can only travel during off-peak times.
The off-peak bus times are:
- Weekdays 9am-3pm and after 6.30pm
- Weekends
- Public holidays
Domestic pets must be fully enclosed in a suitable pet carrier (as pictured) – not just a bag or backpack. The carrier must be on the passenger's lap to avoid being a tripping hazard.
When you are travelling with your pet and see a disability assist dog (guide dog) entering the bus, please move with your pet away from the disability assist dog team. This so the disability assist dog can get settled without added distraction.
Other things to be aware of
- Domestic pets and their owners, like everyone else, must give up priority seating to those who need it, including those with a disability, the elderly, caregivers with prams or small children, and pregnant mothers
- Your pet is your responsibility, including getting on and off the bus
If the vehicle is crowded, a driver may ask you to wait for the next service - If your pet disrupts other customers, you may be asked to get off at the next stop
- Please keep dogs on a lead at bus stops prior to getting in to the carrier and boarding
- Passengers are solely responsible for ensuring that their pet is safe and secured on the bus
- Neither the bus operator or the Otago Regional Council accepts any responsibility whatsoever for any distress or physical hurt to your pet while on the bus.
All urban buses now have bike racks so you have more options for getting around town – and your bike travels for free.
Good to know:
- Bike racks can carry up to two bikes at a time.
- They’re designed for wheels larger than 16” (41cm) in diameter.
- Let the driver know right away if you have problems with the bike racks.
- Children’s bikes may be allowed on the bus at the driver’s discretion, and must be securely held by the passenger.
- e-bikes can be mounted on buses however there is a weight restriction. No bike may weigh more than 25 kgs (learn more below).
Thanks to Bayhopper and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for this great video showing how to use a bike rack. Our Orbus bike racks are exactly the same – easy to use, with two on each bus.
To load:
- Let the bus driver know you’re going to load your bike.
- Squeeze the bike rack handle up to release.
- Lower rack until it is horizontal.
- Lift your bike onto rack with the front wheel facing towards the yellow arm.
- Fit the wheels into the clearly labelled slots.
- Lift the support arm to ‘hook’ over the front wheel to secure the bike.
To unload:
- Make sure the bus driver knows you’re going to unload your bike.
- Unhook the support arm to free the front wheel.
- Lift your bike from the rack.
- If no one else is using the rack, squeeze the handle to fold the rack back up. For safety reasons, the bus can’t depart until this is done.
- Step away and carry on your journey.
It’s your responsibility to load and unload your bike. For safety reasons, our bus drivers are not able to assist you. Please don’t take it personally when they stay in the bus!
E-bikes can be mounted on buses however there is a weight restriction. No bike may weigh more than 25 kgs.
Are there restrictions on wheel size?
Yes, wheels sizes may only be between 16”/40.6cm and 29”/73cm/700c and up to 3”/7.62cm width. The maximum wheelbase dimension is up to 44”/111cm.
Can I store my petrol-powered bike?
Electric bikes with sealed gel, lithium ion or NiCad batteries are permitted. Electric bikes with liquid lead acid batteries are not permitted. Petrol and other similarly powered bikes are not permitted.
Page last updated 29 June 2024.
