$2 buses take off in Qtown

A revolutionary $2 bus service has taken off in Queenstown, albeit with a few teething problems.

The new Orbus service is more frequent and cheaper than the previous service and is delivered by the Otago Regional Council, the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). It is operated by Ritchies. The buses are free for a week. Regional council support services manager Gerard Collings said there were a few issues on the first day of service.

Some trips were cancelled and one bus ran out of petrol. However, it was ‘‘not a bad’’ start, he said. Yesterday marked the first day of the new service and some drivers were still familiarising themselves with the routes.

‘‘We would like to think [today] we won’t have the same problems,’’ Collings said.

Some drivers also struggled with the new electronic signs on the buses, he said.

Collings said the Queenstown community was ‘‘upbeat’’ about the service, including Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult.

He caught a 6.02am bus from Arrowtown.

‘‘On the bus this morning I sat there, read some emails, read the news with free wi-fi, looked out the window. I saw the views, saw some stuff I had not seen before, saw some weeds that we need to get rid off, saw some broom that we need to get rid off – a great wake-up call,’’ he said.

Boult said he would catch the $2 bus regularly and encouraged others to do so.

One bus driver said passengers going to Queenstown Airport, who were used to paying $12 for the ride, were pleased with the change.

Irish traveller Dierdre Carroll said the flat fee of $2 was ‘‘really helpful’’ for commuters.

‘‘It’s great that there’s a better value service being offered. It should reduce the amount of cars on the road. I think it’s a great thing.’’

The new service offers extended hours and more frequent services on four routes.