Timetable changes
Updates to Metro’s bus timetables are being introduced in three stages between September 2020 and February 2021.
Travel free on Waimakariri's new direct bus services
New direct bus services from Rangiora and Kaiapoi to central Christchurch started on Monday 11 January 2021, and travel is free for the first two weeks.
The 91 Rangiora - City direct and the 92 Kaiapoi - City direct pick-up and drop-off from designated Park & Ride locations in each town, and four inner city locations including the Bus Interchange and Christchurch Hospital.
The buses can use the new T2 lanes on the Christchurch Northern Motorway, and the dedicated bus lanes on Cranford Street, but can also use other routes depending on traffic.
Learn more and view timetables for each service:
Timetable and operator changes from Sunday 29 November 2020
At the end of November, some Metro timetables and bus operators changed. Depending on your route, you might have an updated timetable and your bus could look different.
The updated timetables, valid from Sunday 29 November, are available below. You can also plan your trip on our Journey Planner.
Routes operated by Go Bus from 29 November
Vehicles travelling on the following routes will be Metro teal or Go Bus white.
| No. | Route and changes | Timetable from 29 November |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Bryndwr – Huntsbury Some schedule changes. |
17 Bryndwr – Huntsbury |
| 44/45 | Shirley – Ara Institute / 45 City – Westmorland Routes 44 and 45 have merged to become the 44 Shirley – Westmorland. The new combined route does not travel between the Bus Interchange and Ara as the previous 44 did). |
44 Shirley – Westmorland |
| 100 | Wigram – The Palms via Riccarton The frequency of this service at peak times has been adjusted to better reflect current demand levels. It operates every 30 minutes at off-peak times. |
100 Wigram – The Palms |
| 107 | Styx Mill – Northlands Mall Some schedule changes. |
107 Styx Mill – Northlands Mall |
| 85 | City – Rolleston No timetable changes, operated by Go Bus from 29 November. |
85 City – Rolleston |
| 120 | Burnside – Spreydon No timetable changes, operated by Go Bus from 29 November. |
120 Burnside – Spreydon |
| 135 | The Palms – New Brighton No timetable changes, operated by Go Bus from 29 November. |
135 The Palms – New Brighton |
Routes operated by Red Bus from 29 November
Vehicles travelling on the following routes will be Metro teal or a Red Bus.
| No. | Route and changes | Timetable from 29 November |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Airport/Sheffield Crescent – Sumner (Purple Line) Route 3 has had a frequency increase to every 10 minutes on weekdays, and 15 minutes on weekends. View the full announcement. |
3 Airport/Sheffield Crescent – Sumner |
| 28 | Casebrook – Lyttelton Some schedule changes. |
28 Casebrook – Lyttelton |
| 29 | Airport – City via Fendalton Some schedule changes. |
29 Airport – City |
| 140 | Russley – Mt Pleasant Some schedule changes. |
140 Russley – Mt Pleasant |
Your bus may look different even if your timetable hasn’t changed
Even if your timetable or operator didn't change on 29 November, all services across the Metro network have started a transition to the new teal livery, meaning passengers who use routes not on the above lists will also see some changes in bus colour. For example, the Orange Line could be either an orange, Go Bus white or Metro teal vehicle for the next while.
Checking the destination screen on the bus is the best way to confirm it’s your service.
Diamond Harbour Ferry
The Diamond Harbour Ferry, operated by Black Cat Cruises, has an updated timetable from Sunday 29 November, adding a bit more time to each round trip.
See the Diamond Harbour Ferry timetable.
Why the changes?
Updates to Metro’s bus timetables are being introduced in three stages between September 2020 and February 2021. The changes have been phased to help reduce the impact on our passengers.
The changes have been made for a variety of reasons, including to implement the outcome of community consultations, to make operator changes, to ensure we are compliant with employment legislation changes, and in some cases, to reflect the usage of services.
The first stage of changes happened in September 2020 and included all schedule and route changes that resulted from the Waimakariri service review, along with some adjustments to the 125 Redwood – Westlake timetable.
- 1 Rangiora – Cashmere (Blue Line)
- 95 Pegasus/Waikuku – City
- 97 Rangiora – Pegasus (new service)
- 125 Redwood – Westlake
What’s next?
A third and final stage of timetable changes is scheduled for February 2021. A list of what’s changing then is below, and further details will be available closer to the time.
- The Yellow Line becomes 5 Rolleston – New Brighton and will have some timetable changes.
- The Orange Line becomes 7 Halswell – Queenspark and will have some timetable changes.
- Some timetable changes for routes 60 Hillmorton – Southshore, 80 Parklands – Lincoln, and 130 Avonhead – Hei Hei.
- A route change in Rolleston for 820 Lincoln – Burnham via Rolleston, plus an updated timetable, as consulted with the local community earlier this year.
Routes 86 Darfield – City, 87 Southbridge – City, 155 Eastgate – Lyttelton, and the Orbiter, will not have any timetable changes.