ORC’s Interim Chief Executive Dr Pim Borren today announced the free bus service to acknowledge the delays passengers have endured with the recent reduced timetables in both Dunedin and Queenstown, brought on by nationwide driver shortages and Covid 19 illness.

“The free fare day is a thank you for all our loyal passengers, for people catching buses every day,” says Dr Borren.

“We appreciate their patience during these challenging times,” he says.

Car Free Day encourages motorists to give up their vehicles for a day to highlight numerous benefits, including reduced air pollution, fewer cars on the road and in promoting walking and cycling in a safer environment.

Both of the Otago bus services are to remain on the reduced timetable for the time being, a situation which is being evaluated on a weekly basis, Dr Borren says.

Passengers will not have to “tag on and off” with their Bee Cards, as the machines will be deactivated for the day.

Timetables, notifications and alerts.

Due to the reduced timetable, many of our popular services are already operating near or at full capacity during peak times (7:30-9am and 3-5:30pm) including, routes 8 St Clair-Normanby, 77 Mosgiel, 14 Port Chalmers, so bear this in mind.