We need to ensure we still provide passengers and drivers a safe service with physical distancing and contact tracing.

For now, everything will remain the same under Alert Level 3 as it is under Alert Level 4. We will continue to run the network on reduced services, working with our operators and taking feedback from passengers.

Buses will remain fare free and passengers should still use the rear doors for entry and exit, where possible. Passengers should also still keep a 2m physical distance while on the bus.

Currently, under Alert Level 4, buses are for essential workers or to access essential services only, but they will also become available for approved activities such as for those of you returning to work or school. We will monitor demand, working with organisations such as schools to better understand that demand and the need for additional capacity.

We encourage you to keep up to date on developments by visiting Facebook www.facebook.com/OrbusQT/ or www.facebook.com/OrbusDN/ depending on where you live. We also have a dedicated COVID-19 Orbus page at www.orc.govt.nz/public-transport/covid-19.

You can also contact our customer service centre on 0800 ORBUSDN (0800 672 8736) if you are in Dunedin or 0800 ORBUSQT (0800 672 8778) if you are in Queenstown, or email us at transport@orc.govt.nz.

Keep track of your travel

As we move to Alert Level 3, it’ll be just as important for passengers to keep track of travel. You can fill in an online form, text a friend each time you travel or take a photo of your bus as it arrives. You can also keep a diary.

On average it looks like less than 1% of people are filling in the form. Let’s get it up!!! Thanks to the 112 who have filled it in so far. Keep it up as it’s important to have these records if there are any more outbreaks of COVID-19, which we hope there aren’t!

The link to the form is https://otago-covid-register.azurewebsites.net/contact which is also on the Orbus website or can be accessed via My Little Local, under the Orbus button.

We are operating this Anzac weekend

We are operating this Anzac weekend to enable essential workers to get around, including on Monday, which is a public holiday.

In Dunedin, the normal Saturday and Sunday timetables will operate. On Monday we will run a Sunday timetable. 

In Queenstown there is no change, the current Alert Level 4 timetable will operate across all days.