Home › Regional services › Passenger transport

On this page:

• What's new
  
• The 'BUSIT!' card
  
• Child bus pass
  
• Other services
  
• Your feedback
  
• General information
  
• Code of conduct for Hamilton Transport Centre and bus network
  
• Useful links about transport
  
• Contacts outside office hours
  

What's new

• Waikato Winter show
  
  BUSIT! to the Waikato Winter Show 23 - 25 May, 2008.



• Rugby free bus
  
  Avoid parking hassles and take a free bus to the Chiefs rugby home matches and the NZ Maori versus Samoa game on the following dates:
  • Saturday, 21 June NZ Maori versus Samoa
  
  

  All games start at 7:35pm. Find out more.






• BUSIT! RealTime
  Environment Waikato has introduced a RealTime tracking system for the Hamilton city bus network. RealTime lets passengers know when the next bus is coming to the minute - through electronic display units and audio messages. Just press the button to find out when your next bus will arrive!



• Did you know that all bus stops are listed at the bottom of each Hamilton route page? Check out where your nearest bus stops are.



• Orbiter bus route. Hamilton's new Orbiter connects leading attractions such as Westfield Chartwell, the University, the Hospital, Dinsdale Shopping Centre, Wintec Avalon Campus, The Base and Flagstaff Shopping Centre. This new service will provide you with an easy and convenient way of getting around the city with new and improved fares.



• The most convenient way to get around town and it's free! Hamilton's free central city shuttle leaves every ten minutes Monday to Friday, 7am-6pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm. The shuttle travels in a one way loop from the new Knox Street car park, north along Victoria Street, Liverpool Street and then south along Anglesea Street, into Caro Street, Alexandra Street, Hood Street, Anglesea Street and then Knox Street.

The 'BUSIT!' card

BUSIT card guidelines and useful tips

How much does a Busit card cost?

A new Busit card costs $15 (non-refundable), but you are given a $10 credit to get you started!

Benefits of a Busit card

• You get discounted fares.
• You do not have to carry cash every time you ride a bus.
• They make excellent gifts.
• It makes traveling on buses easy for individuals who have trouble handling cash.

60+ Busit card

The initial card issue cost is $15, however this card entitles the bearer to even greater discounted travel between the hours of 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday, and all day Saturday.

You must advise the driver you have a 60+ card when boarding, so they charge you the correct fare. If you do not tell the driver, they will not know to push the 60+ key on the ticketing machine. If you do not inform the driver when boarding, they will not be responsible for you being charged a full Busit card fare. Please remember to avoid disappointment.

Keep your Busit card purchase receipt

When you buy your new Busit card, keep your receipt! It contains your Busit card serial number, which needs to be kept in case you lose it. We will use your serial number to track the credit amount left on your card.

Where can I top up my Busit card?

• Your driver can do this for you, however cash payments only.
• The information desk.
• Environment Waikato counter – Hamilton Transport Centre, corner of Anglesea and Bryce Streets.
• Environment Waikato – 401 Grey Street, Hamilton East.

Credit can be added to your Busit card, a minimum of $10. When you load money onto your card, please keep your receipt and check the amount loaded is correct.

Lost Busit cards

If you have kept the original purchase receipt of your Busit card (that has the serial number on it), and your most recent bus ticket, we can transfer that credit onto a replacement card. This can only be transfered if your credit amount is above $10.

If the amount is below $10, you will need to pay the difference to make it up to $10. For example, if the credit on your card is $5.80, you will need to pay $4.20 to top up the card to $10. Please note that it will also cost you $5 for a replacement card.

If you do not have a recent busit ticket with the balance, you will have to wait until the beginning of the next month for your card balance to be available to us. We accept no responsibility for cards we are unable to obtain balances for.

Take care of your Busit card

Your Busit card needs to be looked after like any other electronic card. Please do not bend, scratch, hole punch or physically damage the card in anyway, as this will stop the card from functioning and you’ll need to purchase a replacement card.

Terms and conditions

• The card remains the property of the issuer – Environment Waikato.
• No refunds are made on the loss or damage of a card.
• Stored value on Busit cards cannot be refunded.
• Busit cards can be used on services within the Hamilton city area, as well as Raglan, Huntly, Paeroa, Managakino, Tokoroa and Taupo.
• The holder/owner of this card must abide by the operator’s standard terms and conditions of carriage.

Child bus pass

Child bus passes are available for children who do not have formal ID, which is required to make use of child bus fares.

Download the request form in PDF format below.

   Child bus pass request form
(78.7 kb, less than 1min to download, 56k modem)

Send your completed form and a cheque for $20 to:

Environment Waikato
PO Box 4010
HAMILTON EAST

Alternatively, visit the Transport Centre or call Environment Waikato's Freephone 0800 800 401 to request a form.

Other services

The Mangakino to Tokoroa bus service runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, leaving Mangakino at 9.30 am and from Tokoroa at 2.00 pm. The bus is wheelchair accessible and priority will be given to mobility passengers and those with medical appointments. For more information about this service, please contact 0800 4BUSLINE.

Check out these companies for inter-regional services:

• Chester Shuttles - Hamilton airport shuttle services.
  
• Dalroy Express – Hamilton to Auckland, Hamilton to New Plymouth and Hawera.
  
• Guthreys Express - Hamilton to Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo and Waitomo.
  
• Intercity Coachlines – Hamilton to Auckland (and Auckland Airport), Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, and Wellington.
  
• Kiwi Traveller - Rotorua to Taupo, Turangi and Wellington daily.
  
• Metro Wide Passenger Transport - Hamilton to Tauranga, Hamilton to Waitomo. Contact number: 07 8471009 or 0800 2163876.
  
• Minibus Express - airport shuttle - Hamilton to Auckland and Auckland to Hamilton.
  
• Nakedbus.com - Connects most main North Island and South Island centres at least daily..
  
• Newmans Coachlines – Hamilton to Auckland, Napier, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington.
  
• Pavlovich Express - Hamilton to Whangarei, Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North and Wellington.
  
• Super Shuttle – Hamilton airport shuttle services.
  
• Tranz Scenic – train services.
  

Your feedback

We'd like your feedback. If you have any suggestions to improve our services, or any problems you've faced using our services, email us.

General information

Our conditions of use for passenger transport aim to ensure your safety and comfort while making travelling on our buses easier and more convenient. If you need any assistance please ask your driver.

Public holidays
Unless otherwise stated, no services will operate on:

Labour Day	Waitangi Day
Christmas Day	Good Friday
Boxing Day	Easter Monday
New Year’s Day	Anzac Day
New Year’s Holiday	Queen’s Birthday
Auckland Anniversary

Signal the bus driver
Please signal the bus driver when waiting at the bus stop.

Alcohol
You may not consume alcohol while travelling on a bus. This is in accordance with the Transport Act and there are no exceptions.

Bus stops
Hamilton City buses can only stop at official Hamilton City bus stops. These bus stops are clearly signposted. Please do not request your driver to stop elsewhere.

Smoking
You are not permitted to smoke on a bus.

Prams
Prams are permitted on buses, but you are responsible for your child's safety. Ensure prams are securely stowed, however please remember that wheelchairs and walkers take precedence in the designated wheelchair space.

Animals
The only animals permitted on Environment Waikato - Hamilton City buses and all regional public transport services are guide dogs.

Timetables
Every effort is made to maintain the advertised timetable, however we cannot make any guarantees that an advertised service will operate.

Lost property
No responsibility will be accepted by the bus companies or Environment Waikato for lost property. If you find a lost article in the bus, please give it to the driver. If you've lost an article on a bus phone the Hamilton Transport Centre on (07) 859 0509 to claim your lost property.

Busline: phone 0800 4 BUSLINE (0800 4287 5463)
This is a free timetable enquiry phone line. Operators are available between 6am and 7pm. If you are calling outside of these hours, please leave a message.

Suggestions
You can comment on or make suggestions regarding our bus services by phoning Busline on 0800 4 BUSLINE (0800 4287 5463) or by emailing us.

Fares
For fare prices please refer to the fare table on each timetable page, and find out more about the 'BUSIT!' card system. The 'BUSIT!' concession card is a cheaper, more convenient way to travel by bus.

Tickets are issued upon payment. If you fail to produce your ticket for inspection you will be required to pay another fare. If paying cash, please try to have the right change ready for the driver.

Children fares

• Children aged under four years travel free.
  
• Children aged between 5 and 13 years and high school children who show a current high school I.D. card are all eligible for a child fare.

For all other fares please refer to the fare table on each timetable page. Find out more about the 'BUSIT!' card system.

School services
Please contact your school office for information on school bus services.

Code of conduct for Hamilton Transport Centre and bus network

You have the right to:

• be treated with respect
• friendly and courteous service
• a safe, clean and comfortable environment in which to wait and prepare for travel.

You are responsible for:

• respecting other peoples' rights
• your own good behaviour
• reporting if you see anyone damaging a bus or the Transport Centre
• paying the correct fare
• following any reasonable instructions from the driver and/or any city or regional council representative and/or any security or NZ Police officer
• using the Transport Centre only for catching a bus or meeting an arriving passenger from a bus.

This means that on the bus and at the Transport Centre you will not:

• threaten, bully or harass other people
• swear or use bad language
• eat, drink or smoke on the bus
• spit or litter
• tag, graffiti or damage anything
• consume alcohol
• loiter or 'hang around' or skateboard (at the Transport Centre).

If you do not comply with this code of conduct, it may result in prosecution and/or removal of your right to use the bus and/or the Transport Centre.

Useful links about transport

View Environment Waikato’s transport policies and plans:

• Land Transport Strategy
  
• Road Safety Plan

Visit the following websites for more information on transport in the Waikato region and New Zealand.

• Land Transport Safety Authority
  
• Ministry for the Environment
  
• Ministry of Transport
  
• Transfund
  
• Transit NZ

Contacts outside office hours

After hours enquiries or complaints of a general nature should call back during office hours or use our contact form.

Passenger transport service issues, outside office hours, that can not be handled by 0800 4busline need to be directed to the individual bus operators listed below.

Appropriate issues for contacting the bus operators are:

• the bus has not turned up
• the bus is running really late
• a serious incident has occured
• lost property.

Hamilton Urban Services	GoBus 07 846 1975
Hamilton - Raglan	GoBus 07 846 1975
Hamilton - Ngaruawahia - Huntly	Pavlovich 07 847 5545 Mobile 021 778991
Hamilton - Huntly - Pukekohe	Pavlovich 07 847 5545 Mobile 021 778991
Hamilton - Cambridge	Cambridge Travel Lines 07 827 7363
Hamilton - Te Awamutu	GoBus Hodgson 021 951 786
Hamilton - Morrinsville - Te Aroha - Paeroa	Turley Motors 07 8848208
Tokoroa - Mangakino	GoBus 07 886 5399
Taupo Urban Waipawa Buses	Manager 027 2754275

Free bus for the rugby

The free buses will leave from Hood St outside the Knox St carpark. They will depart every 10 minutes from an hour before kick off and travel via Victoria, Ulster and Abbotsford Sts to the ground. Passengers will be picked up at any official stop along the way.

Buses will depart directly after the final whistle on Tristram Street near the Mill St intersection. The buses will travel back to the CBD via Anglesea, Knox and Victoria Sts. Drop offs will be made at any official bus stop.

Bus route

This information is valid from 15 April 2008 and will be updated as changes occur.

Copyright Waikato Regional Council © 1999-2008
Date Printed: 17 May 2008
Page: www.ew.govt.nz/regionalservices/passengertransport/index.htm
Environment Waikato:   Box 4010 Hamilton East   Fax 07 859 0998   Freephone 0800 800 401