Latest news with #OrbusOnDemand
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
New book-a-seat bus service ‘unreliable': residents
Mosgiel residents and frequent bus-users (from left) Becky Campbell, Vicki Clinch, Theo Campbell, 3, Arthur Guthrie, 2, Kate Guthrie and 9-week-old Maeve Guthrie in the pram pause on their way to catch the Orbus On Demand service home. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Mosgiel residents are being left high and dry thanks to the botched rollout of a new on-demand bus system, a regular user of the service says. At the end of June, the Orbus on-demand service was rolled out where users book a spot on the bus to request a ride. It replaced the previous loop service, which ran once every 40 minutes on weekdays. But Mosgiel resident and frequent bus user Becky Campbell said the rollout of the new service had been botched, leaving people frustrated by faults and cancellations. The Otago Regional Council acknowledged the rollout had come with challenges, but said the system was new to the council as well and it was working hard to iron out the teething issues. Mrs Campbell said the new service had led to many people giving up on using the service altogether. "One woman said it's just too unreliable. Another man has had to buy a mobility scooter because it's just impossible for him to organise getting on to the service." Mrs Campbell said complications with the system had made her morning kindergarten drop-offs a challenge. "We are always panicked, because we don't know if we're going to make it on time to pick the kids up after kindergarten." Mrs Campbell's friend, Kate Guthrie, said there had been cases of both of them attempting to book the bus, but one of them receiving the message it was booked out. "When you order the bus, it only picks one person at a time — 22 seats just for you." They said they would like to see a return to the regular loop circuit, as it was more reliable, and easier for Mosgiel's elderly residents to use. ORC implementation lead for transport Julian Phillips said there were operational challenges and the system was new to everyone. "We appreciate the change is a big one and we are currently planning further community engagement and looking at ways we can assist all Mosgiel residents to use the service." He said one adjustment for the service had already been made on July 21, which had led to a reduction in cancelled bookings. There was room for further tweaks to the system and he was keen to hear feedback. "We want all Mosgiel residents to feel enabled to use the service. We would love anyone who hasn't tried the service to give it a go by downloading the app, signing up and making a booking, or booking over the phone."
Otago Daily Times
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
New fleet of electric buses launched
Yesterday the Otago Regional Council launched a new fleet of electric buses and Orbus On Demand bus service — a ride-share service for Mosgiel, Wingatui, East Taieri and Kinmont. Queenstown-based Otago regional councillor Alexa Forbes christens a new electric bus with a bottle of water. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH The bus travels to about 100 stops and passengers can book a trip over the phone or using the Orbus On Demand app. The service replaces routes 80 and 81, the Mosgiel loop service. Otago regional councillors Andrew Noone and Gretchen Robertson check out one of the new electric buses. The fleet of 13 electric buses will service Mosgiel and Brighton routes and includes six large 75-passenger buses, introduced to increase capacity during peak times and allow for further bus-use growth in Mosgiel. Buses charge at the Mosgiel Electric Bus Depot in Dukes Rd North, Mosgiel. Some buses began running earlier this month. — APL
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Bus service on demand
Otago Regional Council (ORC) is launching a new public transport service operated by Go Bus (a subsidiary of Kinetic) for Mosgiel on Monday, June 30. Orbus On Demand will offer a different way for people to travel. It will operate within the Mosgiel, Wingatui, East Taieri and Kinmont areas using a wheelchair-accessible 22-seat electric bus. The service will replace the Mosgiel loop service (Routes 80 and 81), which ends at 6pm on Friday, June 27. The new on-demand bus service will run on weekdays from 8am to 6pm. People can book any time via the Orbus On Demand app or by phoning ORC Customer Services weekdays from 8am to 5pm. The app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play. Orbus On Demand is not a door-to-door service; it is a rideshare service where passengers may be joined by others during their trip. There are nearly 100 pick-up/drop-off points available; some are marked bus stops, and some are not. The Orbus On Demand app or the customer services team will direct people to the closest pick-up location within the service zone. ORC Public and Active Transport Committee co-chairman Andrew Noone said, in a statement, Orbus On Demand aimed to add convenience and provide wider coverage for bus users in the area. This was something residents asked ORC for during its Long-Term Plan consultation. "This represents a new era of public transport. It means no parking worries and hassle-free trips to essential services like medical and community centres or visiting friends and family across town," Mr Noone said. A fleet of 13 new electric buses servicing the Mosgiel Dunedin route, also operated by Go Bus, will also be launched on June 30, although some buses started running on the route earlier this month. The fleet includes six large 75-passenger capacity buses, introduced to increase capacity during peak times and allow for further bus-use growth in Mosgiel. The launch of the electric Orbus On Demand service is the final step in moving all Mosgiel buses to zero emissions, enabling ORC to deliver cleaner, more sustainable public transport for the region. Go Bus chief operating officer Ben Barlow said it was proud to work alongside the council to deliver the new service. "It represents a forward-thinking approach to public transport in the region," he said. "It's great to be part of a solution that's not only convenient but also aligned with ORC's wider goals around accessibility and sustainability." On demand bus service The Mosgiel, Wingatui, East Taieri and Kinmont on-demand bus service begins at 8am on Monday, June 30, and will run on weekdays from 8am to 6pm. To book, download the Orbus On Demand app or call 0800 672 8736 on weekdays, 8am-5pm. Visit — APL
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Scoop
Orbus On Demand: A New Electric Rideshare Service Debuting In Mosgiel
Press Release – Otago Regional Council The service is replacing the Mosgiel loop service (Routes 80 and 81), which ends at 6pm on Friday, 27 June. The new on demand bus service will run weekdays from 8am to 6pm. Otago Regional Council (ORC) is launching an innovative new public transport service operated by Go Bus (a subsidiary of Kinetic) for Mosgiel on Monday, 30 June. Orbus On Demand offers a different way for people to travel. It will operate within the Mosgiel, Wingatui, East Taieri and Kinmont areas using a wheelchair-accessible 22-seat electric bus. The service is replacing the Mosgiel loop service (Routes 80 and 81), which ends at 6pm on Friday, 27 June. The new on demand bus service will run weekdays from 8am to 6pm. People can book any time via the Orbus On Demand app or by phoning ORC Customer Services weekdays from 8am to 5pm. The app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play from 16 June. Orbus On Demand is not a door-to-door service; it is a rideshare service where passengers may be joined by others during their trip. There are nearly 100 pick-up/drop-off points available; some are marked bus stops, and some are not. The Orbus On Demand app or the Customer Services team will direct people to the closest pick-up location anywhere in the service zone. (see map below). Co-chair of Otago Regional Council's Public and Active Transport Committee Andrew Noone says Orbus On Demand aims to add convenience and provide wider coverage for bus users in the area, which is something residents asked ORC for during ORC's Long-Term Plan consultation. 'This represents a new era of public transport. It means no parking worries and hassle-free trips to essential services like medical and community centres or visiting friends and family across town.' A fleet of 13 new electric buses servicing the Mosgiel – Dunedin route, also operated by Go Bus, will also be launched on 30 June, although some buses started running on the route earlier this month. The fleet includes six large 75-passenger capacity buses, introduced to increase capacity during peak times and allow for further bus-use growth in Mosgiel. The launch of the electric Orbus On Demand service is the final step in moving all Mosgiel buses to zero emissions, enabling ORC to deliver cleaner more sustainable public transport for the region. Ben Barlow, Chief Operating Officer, Go Bus, says: 'We're proud to be working alongside Otago Regional Council to deliver this innovative new On Demand service. It represents a forward-thinking approach to public transport in the region. 'It's great to be part of a solution that's not only convenient but also aligned with ORC's wider goals around accessibility and sustainability.'
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Scoop
Orbus On Demand: A New Electric Rideshare Service Debuting In Mosgiel
Press Release – Otago Regional Council The service is replacing the Mosgiel loop service (Routes 80 and 81), which ends at 6pm on Friday, 27 June. The new on demand bus service will run weekdays from 8am to 6pm. Otago Regional Council (ORC) is launching an innovative new public transport service operated by Go Bus (a subsidiary of Kinetic) for Mosgiel on Monday, 30 June. Orbus On Demand offers a different way for people to travel. It will operate within the Mosgiel, Wingatui, East Taieri and Kinmont areas using a wheelchair-accessible 22-seat electric bus. The service is replacing the Mosgiel loop service (Routes 80 and 81), which ends at 6pm on Friday, 27 June. The new on demand bus service will run weekdays from 8am to 6pm. People can book any time via the Orbus On Demand app or by phoning ORC Customer Services weekdays from 8am to 5pm. The app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play from 16 June. Orbus On Demand is not a door-to-door service; it is a rideshare service where passengers may be joined by others during their trip. There are nearly 100 pick-up/drop-off points available; some are marked bus stops, and some are not. The Orbus On Demand app or the Customer Services team will direct people to the closest pick-up location anywhere in the service zone. (see map below). Co-chair of Otago Regional Council's Public and Active Transport Committee Andrew Noone says Orbus On Demand aims to add convenience and provide wider coverage for bus users in the area, which is something residents asked ORC for during ORC's Long-Term Plan consultation. 'This represents a new era of public transport. It means no parking worries and hassle-free trips to essential services like medical and community centres or visiting friends and family across town.' A fleet of 13 new electric buses servicing the Mosgiel – Dunedin route, also operated by Go Bus, will also be launched on 30 June, although some buses started running on the route earlier this month. The fleet includes six large 75-passenger capacity buses, introduced to increase capacity during peak times and allow for further bus-use growth in Mosgiel. The launch of the electric Orbus On Demand service is the final step in moving all Mosgiel buses to zero emissions, enabling ORC to deliver cleaner more sustainable public transport for the region. Ben Barlow, Chief Operating Officer, Go Bus, says: 'We're proud to be working alongside Otago Regional Council to deliver this innovative new On Demand service. It represents a forward-thinking approach to public transport in the region. 'It's great to be part of a solution that's not only convenient but also aligned with ORC's wider goals around accessibility and sustainability.'
