QTS-103 · Statutory plan · 2025
Otago Regional Public Transport Plan 2025–2035 (Final/Adopted)
Part of: Rapid transit evidence →
Final Otago Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) 2025-2035, Otago Regional Council's (ORC) statutory ten-year plan for public transport services, information and infrastructure, prepared with Otago's territorial authorities and NZTA (Waka Kotahi) (p7). The ORC Chair's foreword highlights Motu Move ticketing from 2026, a fully electric fleet in Dunedin and Queenstown, higher Queenstown bus frequencies and support for community transport, while noting Government expectations to recover more costs through fares (p5). For Queenstown the plan sets staged service increases: a direct Queenstown-Arrowtown connection and 30-minute peak connectors (2025-2028); a coordinated 7.5-minute Queenstown-Frankton frequency, Homestead Bay extension and articulated buses (2028-2031); additional peak services and Wānaka/Alexandra links (2031-2035); and network-wide frequent services (2035-2055) (pp63-66). It supports an electric bus depot in Queenstown (p82), a replacement for the Stanley Street hub (p78) and parking management that supports public transport (p83). It retains the draft's statement 'we support the future study of an “off-line” rapid service in Queenstown, likely using ropeway technologies' (p56), and adds 'cable/rope technologies' to the mode-neutrality policy (SD P5, p52). The 'Potential for rapid off-line service between Queenstown and Homestead Bay (not shown)' now sits in the 10-30 year (2035-2055) horizon rather than the draft's 6-30 years (p66).
What the document says
Context and purpose. The RPTP 2025-2035 is ORC's statutory plan under the Land Transport Management Act 2003, renewed after the 2024 mid-term review of the Otago Southland RLTP (p9). It guides ORC's design and delivery of public transport, with emphasis on the first three years after adoption (2025-2027) (p7). It was prepared with DCC, QLDC, CODC, CDC, WDC and NZTA, and informed by engagement with mana whenua, operators, community groups and LTP/Annual Plan submissions (p7). This is the final version following consultation on the March 2025 draft (RPTP_DRAFT); the document does not print an adoption date.
Structure and method. Policies and actions are grouped under five focus areas: passenger experience; building trust; environmental sustainability; a connected and integrated network; and value for money, followed by implementation and monitoring. Network design follows the principles of serving diverse trips, a patronage-oriented network and mode-neutrality (p49). Policy SD P5 (p52) states public transport 'will be delivered using the most appropriate mode (e.g. bus, ferry, rail, cable/rope technologies, etc.)'.
Key figures. Otago public transport trips rose from 3.4 million (2019/20) to 5.3 million (2023/24), +54% (p15). Queenstown's fleet is expected to be 23 electric buses (100% of fleet) by about 2029 (Figure 10, p48). The Urban Rapid service target is every 10 minutes or better 6am-8pm on a dedicated right-of-way (p56). Queenstown has one frequent service; connector services are hourly, half-hourly at peak on the strongest routes (pp56-57). The Queenstown Urban unit (Unit 8) runs November 2029-June 2041 with staged increases subject to funding; Queenstown school and regional units (Units 9-10) are 'Not currently funded'; the Lake Whakatipu ferry unit runs July 2025-June 2030 (p126).
Queenstown policies and actions. Queenstown is described as a high-growth centre where public transport must proactively support growth. The most popular route will likely be Homestead Bay-Jack's Point-Hanley's Farm-Frankton-Queenstown, served by high-capacity articulated buses, and 'there may be a future study of the case for other modes... including an off-line option and a direct ferry service' (p63). Staged maps: next 3 years (2025-2028), direct Queenstown-Arrowtown connection and 30-minute peak connectors (p64); 3-6 years (2028-2031), 30-minute all-day connectors, timetables coordinated to create 7.5-minute frequency between Queenstown and Frankton, Homestead Bay extension, articulated buses and on-demand services (p64); 6-10 years (2031-2035), additional peak services and Queenstown-Wānaka and Queenstown-Alexandra services (p65); 10-30 years (2035-2055), frequent services across the network 'per business case', missing links such as the Quail Rise western access road, a potential ferry to Homestead Bay and potential rapid off-line service (p66). The Frankton Bus Hub is being redeveloped by NZTA, and a stronger central Queenstown facility to replace the on-street Stanley Street Bus Hub is 'a key action in the long-term implementation of the Queenstown Public Transport Business Case' (p78). ORC plans to secure land for an electric depot because strategic land is hard to access and the network runs as a single contract (p80; IN A4, p82). Parking in Dunedin and Queenstown is to be managed to support public transport growth (PM P1/PM A1, p83). A zone fare structure is being considered for Queenstown (pp100-101). KPIs cover Whakatipu boardings, on-time performance (>90%), service delivery (>99%) and satisfaction (>90%) (p97). The Queenstown engagement story again records interest in 'expanding ferry access or ropeway services' (p108). The Grow Well Whaiora partnership and Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan are cited as complementary (p47).
Changes from the draft relevant to Queenstown. (1) SD P5 mode list changed from 'bus, ferry, tram, etc.' (draft p54) to 'bus, ferry, rail, cable/rope technologies, etc.' (p52). (2) The ropeway sentence is unchanged apart from a lower-case 'we' (draft p58; final p56). (3) The network horizons changed from 0-3, 3-6 and 6-30 years to dated horizons of 2025-2028, 2028-2031, 2031-2035 and 2035-2055; the potential rapid off-line service moved from the 6-30 year map to the 10-30 year (2035-2055) map, i.e. beyond the plan period (draft p66; final p66). (4) A 6-10 year stage was added. (5) Queenstown school and regional units move from November 2028 to November 2029 start (draft p126; final p126). The final retains a stray sentence inviting submissions on the draft, consultation 'currently scheduled for March 2025' (p108).
Recommendations. The plan does not itself commit funding; activities depend on NLTP and LTP funding.
Mass rapid transit: The plan states 'No current plans to implement full rapid service, but... we support the future study of an “off-line” rapid service in Queenstown, likely using ropeway technologies' (p56); says there 'may be a future study' of other modes including 'an off-line option' (p63); lists 'Potential for rapid off-line service between Queenstown and Homestead Bay (not shown)' in the 2035-2055 horizon (p66); and names 'cable/rope technologies' in policy SD P5 (p52). No corridor, owner, cost or date is given for the study.
Key figures
- Otago public transport trips rose from 3.4 million (2019/20) to 5.3 million (2023/24), +54% (p15)
- Queenstown fleet expected to be 23 electric buses (100% of fleet) by c.2029 (Figure 10, p48)
- Coordinated 7.5-minute Queenstown-Frankton frequency in 2028-2031 horizon (p64)
- Urban Rapid service target: every 10 minutes or better 6am-8pm, dedicated right-of-way (p56)
- Queenstown Urban (Unit 8) contract November 2029-June 2041; Units 9-10 (Queenstown school, regional) not currently funded (p126)
- Lake Whakatipu ferry (Unit 11) July 2025-June 2030 (p126)
- KPIs: on-time >90%, service delivery >99%, satisfaction >90% for Whakatipu (p97)
- Total Mobility fare subsidy cap $37.50 to be investigated (TM P4, p36)
Rapid transit
Mass rapid transit means light rail, gondola/cable car, bus rapid transit and similar dedicated rapid-transit technologies. It does not include ordinary bus services or ferries.
Substantive. Discusses, assesses, recommends or programmes mass rapid transit.
Supports future study of off-line rapid service in Queenstown, likely ropeway; no current plans; potential service placed in 2035-2055 horizon, unmapped.
The final plan keeps the draft's position and strengthens one policy reference, while moving the time horizon later. The Urban Rapid row of the service-layer table states: 'No current plans to implement full rapid service, but: we want to enhance key spines... we support the future study of an “off-line” rapid service in Queenstown, likely using ropeway technologies' (p56). This wording is identical to the draft (p58) apart from capitalisation. Policy SD P5 (mode neutrality) now reads 'bus, ferry, rail, cable/rope technologies, etc.' (p52); the draft read 'bus, ferry, tram, etc.' (draft p54). The Queenstown section repeats that 'there may be a future study of the case for other modes... including an off-line option and a direct ferry service' (p63). On the staged maps, 'Potential for rapid off-line service between Queenstown and Homestead Bay (not shown)' appears under '10–30 years (2035–2055)' (p66). In the draft it appeared under '6-30 years' (draft p66). The new dated horizons place any off-line service after the plan's 2035 end date. The engagement summary records Queenstown interest in 'expanding ferry access or ropeway services' (p108). The plan does not name a corridor such as Frankton-Town Centre, a lead agency, funding or a date for the study.
"No current plans to implement full rapid service, but: • we want to enhance key spines, where the combined service may approach rapid standards • we support the future study of an “off-line” rapid service in Queenstown, likely using ropeway technologies" (p.56) | "Mode neutrality: public transport will be delivered using the most appropriate mode (e.g. bus, ferry, rail, cable/rope technologies, etc.) to meet demand, purpose, community need and value for money." (p.52) | "Additionally, there may be a future study of the case for other modes to serve this area, including an off-line option and a direct ferry service." (p.63) | "10–30 years (2035–2055)... Potential for rapid off-line service between Queenstown and Homestead Bay (not shown)." (p.66) | "exploring the potential for new transport modes, including expanding ferry access or ropeway services" (p.108)
Files
- Open Main document (PDF, 6.6 MB) Opens in a new tab.
Main document
Public copies
Publisher’s own file.
Actions recorded
Further study of an off-line rapid service in Queenstown, likely using ropeway technologies (stated aspiration; no owner or date).
Not assessed · Not stated; potential rapid off-line service in 10-30 year horizon (2035-2055) (p66) · Relevant to rapid transit
we support the future study of an “off-line” rapid service in Queenstown
Possible future study of the case for other modes in the Homestead Bay-Frankton-Queenstown corridor, including an off-line option and a direct ferry service.
Not assessed · Relevant to rapid transit
there may be a future study of the case for other modes
Deliver public transport using the most appropriate mode, including cable/rope technologies, to meet demand, purpose, community need and value for money.
Not assessed · ORC · Plan period (2025-2035) · Relevant to rapid transit
SD P5 Mode neutrality... cable/rope technologies
Introduce a direct Queenstown-Arrowtown connection and 30-minute peak frequency on all Queenstown connector routes.
Not assessed · ORC · Next 3 years (2025-2028)
Direct Queenstown-Arrowtown connection.
Move Queenstown connectors to 30-minute all-day frequency and coordinate timetables to create 7.5-minute frequency between Queenstown and Frankton.
Not assessed · ORC · 3-6 years (2028-2031)
Timetables to be coordinated to create 7.5-minute frequency
Extend services to Homestead Bay as development occurs, introduce articulated buses and develop on-demand services away from core routes.
Not assessed · ORC · 3-6 years (2028-2031)
Articulated buses begin to be introduced to increase capacity.
Add peak services across the Queenstown network and develop Queenstown-Wānaka and Queenstown-Alexandra services.
Not assessed · ORC · 6-10 years (2031-2035)
Additional peak services across network.
Increase services across the network to frequent levels per business case; serve new links such as Quail Rise western access road; consider ferry to Homestead Bay.
Not assessed · ORC · 10-30 years (2035-2055)
Services across network to be increased to frequent levels (per business case).
Show all 19 actions
Support development of a long-term electric bus depot in Queenstown, possibly including land purchase and long-term control of the depot.
Not assessed · ORC
IN A4 Support the development of a long-term electric bus depot in Queenstown
Develop a stronger central Queenstown facility to replace the on-street Stanley Street Bus Hub, as part of implementing the Queenstown Public Transport Business Case.
Not assessed · Long term
a key action in the long-term implementation of the Queenstown Public Transport Business Case
Collaborate with partner agencies so parking strategies and fare policies align and support public transport, including parking management plans for mode shift (Dunedin and Queenstown).
Not assessed · ORC
PM A1 Collaborate with partner agencies to ensure parking strategies and fare policies align
Collaborate with territorial and road-controlling authorities to implement public transport priority or other efficiency measures for reliability and punctuality.
Not assessed · ORC
SQ A5 Collaborate with territorial and road-controlling authorities
Implement integrated mode-shift packages in urban areas with partners: services, bus priority, fares and parking pricing, and promotion.
Not assessed · ORC
NF A4 Work collaboratively with key stakeholders to implement integrated packages
Develop and design service improvements in line with the future network structures in Section 5.2.
Not assessed · ORC
NF A1 Develop and design service improvements
Phase out diesel buses in favour of zero-emission electric buses when procuring new unit contracts; fully decarbonised fleet by 2035.
Not assessed · ORC · By 2035
DC A1 Phase out diesel buses
Consider adopting a zone fare structure for the Queenstown and Dunedin urban bus networks.
Not assessed · ORC
ORC is considering adopting a zone fare structure
Use statutory planning processes and engage developers and territorial authorities so new urban areas integrate with public transport.
Not assessed · ORC
LU A1 Use statutory planning processes
Transition from the Bee Card to the Motu Move ticketing system with NZTA, including public education and card replacement.
Not assessed · NZTA · Motu Move introduced 2026 (p5)
TS A2 Collaborate with NZTA to effectively transition
Develop a regional public and active transport connectivity strategy and programme of activities.
Not assessed · ORC
MM A1 Develop a regional public and active transport connectivity strategy
Study cost
Not separately commissioned. This is an internal or corporate document.
Citation
ORC. Otago Regional Public Transport Plan 2025–2035 (2025).