Local Buses

The buses in Tauranga are called the Bay Hoppers. The local bus service is provided by Go Bus and managed by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

For bus routes and bus stop locations in the City, see here.

Tauranga City Council uses some of the revenue from parking to fund extra bus services.  Currently there are 12 bus routes servicing the city and the buses run at varying times. 

Buses run seven days a week and on all public holidays except Christmas Day and Good Friday

To view a timetable check the Bay Bus website for local services.  Information and fares on Smart-Ride is available here.

Bus Shelter and Bus Stops

There are over 500 bus stops in Tauranga, some of which have shelters for increased user comfort.  In Tauranga there are two types of bus shelter.  One is the Council bus shelter and the other is an Adshel bus shelter, which is managed privately as advertising space.  Both types of shelter are used by the Bay Hopper bus service to pick-up and drop-off passengers.  You should always wait at a designated bus stop and signal to the bus driver to pull over.

To report damage to a bus shelter or to request to be installed in your area phone Tauranga City Council on 07 577 7000.

City Bus Stops for Regional Buses

All regional bus services to Katikati, Rotorua, Te Puke, Omokoroa, Whakatane as well as Intercity, Newmans, Naked Bus and all charter, tour and cruise ship buses stop at, and depart from Wharf Street. 

For more information and a map follow this link or please call 0800 4 BAYBUS.

Regional Bus Services

A regional bus service links to Rotorua, Te Puke, Katikati, Whakatane, Opotiki and Kawerau.  To view timetables check the Bay Bus website

School Buses

School buses are run by the Ministry of Education.  For more information about the school bus system please contact your local school

Other Services

For all other bus services please contact the Tauranga or Mount Maunganui I-Site Visitor Information Centres by phone on 07 578 8103 or email I-Site for assistance.

Bus Lane Information

Buses, cycles, motorcycles and emergency vehicles such as police, fire and ambulance are all authorised to use bus lanes.

Other vehicles may use a bus lane for up to 50 metres if they are turning into a side street, accessing a driveway or merging into an all-vehicle lane.

Tauranga City Council enforces bus lanes at various times during the day. If a vehicle is driven in a bus lane for any reason other than turning or merging within 50 metres, the driver risks a $150.00 infringement fee.

Parking or stopping in a bus lane is also not allowed and the owner risks having the vehicle towed and a parking infringement notice for $60.00.

A bus is defined in the Land Transport Legislation as "a passenger service vehicle that has more than 9 seating positions (including the driver’s seat)".

Taxis (cars or shuttles with 9 or less seats) may not use the Bus Lanes.

Super Gold Card

The Super Gold Card is a card for New Zealand residents who are aged 65 or over or who otherwise qualify for NZ Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension.

The Super Gold Card establishs entitlement to discounts from participating businesses, and helps facilitate easy access to concessions on government and local authority services.

SuperGold Card Information 

• SuperGold Card Fact Sheet  (189kb pdf)
• Cardholder enquiries freephone 0800 254 565
• Website: www.supergold.govt.nz
• Email: info@supergold.govt.nz

Note: There may be changes regarding SGC concessions.  For the most up to date information, you should check the website above.