FAQs

  • Super Gold Card

    Super Gold Card

    Super Gold card holders receive free off-peak public bus travel

    Current users of the New Zealand Governments Super Gold card are entitled to receive free off-peak public bus travel. 

    The scheme first came into use on 1 October 2008 and is funded 100% by the Ministry of Social Development.

    When is the 'off-peak' period?

    Free travel applies during the following off-peak travel periods:

    • Weekdays (Monday - Friday) 9.00am to 3.00pm;
    • Weekdays (Monday - Friday) from 6.30pm until the end of service, and
    • Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays - all day, while services operate.

    Which regional public bus services offer free 'off-peak' travel?

    Free off-peak travel applies to the following services:

    • Tauranga urban (Bay Hopper)
    • Rotorua urban (Cityride)
    • Ohope to Whakatane (Beach Runner)
    • Matata to Tauranga (Beach Runner)
    • Whakatane to Tauranga (morning services on the Eastern Bay Hopper)
    • Tauranga to Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki  and Kawerau (afternoon services on Eastern Bay Hopper)
    • Murupara to Rotorua (Tuesday and Thursday services only)
    • Katikati and Ōmokoroa to Tauranga (Shopper services only)

    Free off-peak travel does not currently apply on the following services:

    • Te Puke to Tauranga (all services on Bay Hopper Te Puke)
    • Rotorua to Tauranga (all services on Twin City Express)
    • Katikati to Tauranga (morning and afternoon Commuter services)
    • Ōmokoroa to Tauranga (morning and afternoon Commuter services)
    • Opotiki and Kawerau to Whakatane (morning services)

    How can I get a SuperGold Card?

    All NZ residents aged 65 years and over and those under 65 years receiving a Veteran's Pension or NZ Superannuation are eligible to receive a Super Gold card. 

    Call the Super Gold Card Centre on 0800 25 45 65, or visit www.supergold.govt.nz.
    You can also apply for a card at any Work and Income Service Centre.
    For further information about free bus travel please phone 0800 4BAYBUS (0800 422 9287).


     

  • Total Mobility

    Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme designed to help eligible people with impairments to use appropriate transport to help make their community participation better.

    In the Bay of Plenty it's run by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. The scheme gives financial assistance by way of a voucher that allows registered users of the scheme to a 50% discount on taxi fares. The user is required to pay the other half of the fare to the taxi driver, at the time the trip is taken. Users of the scheme must carry a Total Mobility photo ID card to be able to use vouchers

    Where can I get more information?

    For more information about the Total Mobility scheme, contact us:

    Phone: 0800 884 880

    Email: info@boprc.govt.nz

    Or click here to be directed to the Total Mobility Page

  • Where can I buy a smartride card?

    Smartride cards for the Bayhopper-Tauranga service can be purchased from the bus driver or at the Tauranga i-site on the corner of Wharf St & Willow St.

    Smartride cards for the Cityride-Rotorua service can be purchased from the bus driver.

    For all other bus services please ask your bus driver if smartride cards are available on the service.

     

  • How much does a Smartride card cost?

    On the Bayhopper-Tauranga service there is no charge for a smartride card. However, you will have to buy a minimum of $10 worth of credit. The card will come loaded with the $10 credit.

    On the Cityride-Rotorua service there is a $17.20 charge for a smartride card and the card comes with $10 credit loaded.

    For all other bus services please ask the bus driver for Smartride card details.

  • How do I 'top up' my Smartride card?

    Give the driver the cash amount and ask them to top up your card. Be clear exactly how much you want loaded on to the card.

    For users of the Bayhopper -Tauranga, you can also top-up your Smartride card at the Tauranga i-site on the corner of Wharf St & Willow St.

  • What is the minimum amount I can top-up my card with?

    We would prefer that the card is loaded with a minimum of $10.

     

  • How much money can I load on my Smartride card?

    There is a $100 maximum top up on each card. Please remember that your smartride card is your responsibility. The bus company, the bus driver and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council are not liable if you lose your card.

     

  • What happens if I lose my Smartride card?

    The card is your responsibility.

    If it is registered then the card can be hotlisted (the card is cancelled so it can't be used by anyone).

    If you can prove that you are the registered owner (with the original proof of purchase receipt given to you at time of purchase) then we can transfer the unused balance to a new card and send it to you.

     

  • Can I let someone else use my Smartride card?

    Anyone that you allow can use the card.

     

  • Can I pay for more than 1 person to travel with my smartride card?

    Yes you can pay for as many people as you like on your Smartride Card

  • What do I do if my Smartride card is faulty?

    Please let us know. Phone 0800 422928 and we will call you back asap.

     

  • How do I find out the balance on my Smartride card?

    Your card balance is on your bus ticket. Just buy a bus ticket with your card and there it is above the date - next to the word "REMAINING".

     

  • Can I stop a bus and board or alight the bus between stops?

    In Tauranga and Rotorua, buses only stop at marked 'bus stops'. When wishing to board the bus please signal as early as you can that you would like the bus to stop for you. When alighting, please give the driver plenty of notice that you would the bus to stop at the next marked 'bus stop'.

    Bus services outside of Tauranga and Rotorua operate on a 'Hail-a-ride' system. While waiting for the bus, please raise your arm to indicate that you would like the bus to stop for you. The driver will stop at the nearest safe place.

     

  • Do you have to have the correct change to buy a ticket on the bus?

    It can be helpful if you have the correct change as it makes boarding quicker for the driver and journey time shorter for the other passengers. If not, please try and carry smaller amounts of money and avoid large notes. Drivers only carry a small amount of change.

     

  • Can I take a dog on the bus?

    Our buses only allow registered guide dogs (with their owners).

     

  • Can I take a pram on the bus?

    You can take a pram on the bus but be mindful that some buses have limited space for prams. Space is allocated on a first come, first served basis.

     

  • Can I take my bike/surfboard on the bus?

    Sorry, bikes are not allowed on buses. Surfboards are allowed provided they are in appropriate surfboard bags.

  • Can I take food or drink on the bus?

    Sorry. For the safety of others, food and drink cannot be consumed on the bus.

  • Who do I contact for lost property?

    It's best to contact the operator of the service. For a list of bus operators, please click here.

     

  • Where can I get a timetable from?

    Bus timetables are available from here or by phoning 0800 422928.