By the Explore Dunedin news desk · Published Thursday 12 November 2026
Otago Regional Council is moving an early weekday trip on the Portobello and Mosgiel bus routes after passengers raised concerns about the 1 October network changes. The new times start on Monday 16 November.
- When
- From Monday 16 November
- Route 18
- Harington Point trip leaves at 6.51am instead of 7.20am and no longer goes via Bayfield High School
- Route 77
- First weekday trip leaves the terminus at 6am, 19 minutes earlier
- Details
- orc.govt.nz/dnbuschanges
Only one trip on each route changes. Every other timetabled trip on routes 18 and 77 stays as it is.
Route 18, Portobello (Harington Point) to the city
The bus that now leaves Harington Point at 7.20am will leave 29 minutes earlier, at 6.51am. It will reach Portobello at 7.13am and the Bus Hub at about 7.59am.
This earlier trip will not go past Bayfield High School. Students heading there should tag off at Portobello and change to the 7.28am or 7.43am bus.
Route 77, Mosgiel, Fairfield and Green Island to the city
The first trip of each weekday moves 19 minutes earlier and replaces the first trip on the current timetable. It will leave the terminus at 6am and arrive at the Bus Hub at about 6.38am.
More changes being worked on
The regional council says these are its first fixes after hearing from passengers, including at recent West Harbour and Otago Peninsula Community Board meetings, and that a wider set of changes is still being considered.
Transport portfolio co-lead Cr Alan Somerville said in the council’s announcement, “We didn’t get the changes right the first time. We have listened to what people have told us has made a problem for them and are working hard to put these things right.”
If you catch either of these early buses, check the new times before Monday 16 November. Timetables for both routes and an overview of the 1 October changes are at orc.govt.nz/dnbuschanges.
- Otago Regional Council: First timetable adjustments following feedback on Dunedin bus changes, released 10 November 2026
Explore Dunedin news desk: news@exploredunedin.nz. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we’ll correct it.
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