All aboard for changes to the Orbiter service

Brand new buses, new features and expanded routes to northern suburbs are all part of the latest Orbiter bus changes coming into effect in Hamilton from Saturday 18 July.

Current Orbiter users also need to be alerted to the fact that the service will no longer travel down certain streets.

There will be brand new Euro 4 low emission buses on the Orbiter and CBD Shuttle routes. They will have the same appearance as the current services.

The new Orbiter services coming into effect involve an expanded route to northern suburbs, including Rototuna.
The expanded Orbiter services will see buses travel north from Westfield Chartwell on Hukanui Rd to service north eastern suburbs, including Rototuna. The service will travel along Hukanui Rd, Thomas Rd, Resolution Dr, Discovery Dr and continue along River Rd to Wairere Dr.

However, due to the route change, Orbiter buses will no longer travel down Glen Lynne Ave or the section of River Rd between Wairere Dr and Glen Lynne Ave.

“Passengers currently using stops to catch the Orbiter in these streets will need to transfer on to the Orbiter at other stops. We suggest catching the Flagstaff bus at the existing stops – and transfer to the Orbiter at either Flagstaff or Westfield”, said land transport operations manager Bevan Dale.

Onboard audio and visual displays will help with next stop announcements on the new buses. “This was brought about due to the trial undertaken on the current CBD Shuttle service and will help people with accessibility issues use the buses more comfortably,” said Mr Dale.

Also, to help passengers easily identify which Orbiter bus stops connect with other bus services, a special red and white “Transfer” sign will be placed on appropriate bus stop poles
For more information call 0800 4 BUSLINE or visit www.busit.co.nz.