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Public transport is a critical component for transporting and contributing to a thriving region and we are committed to delivering this vision for the Bay of Plenty.

Bee Card

Bee Card is the prepay travel smartcard for nine regions of New Zealand. The Bee Card can be used for local public transport in Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, Nelson, Otago and Invercargill.

As of 20th July 2020 Bee card went live for Eastern Bay (including Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, and Whakatāne), Rotorua, Ōmokoroa and Katikati and then 27th July 2020 for Tauranga.

For additional information about the Bee Card please go to the www.baybus.co.nz/beecard

Free fares for Tauranga students

In 2022 all school students travelling on dedicated Bayhopper school buses or Tauranga urban routes can travel for free from 7am-9am, and from when school finishes to 5pm Monday to Friday during school term.

This is a trial and commences 31 January 2022 until 31 December 2022. Students will need a registered Bee card with concession applied to travel free except for some dedicated school bus services. Read more.

Regional tertiary/commuter services

New Regional Tertiary/Commuter services will begin when Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology and The University of Waikato start again. The services are a joint venture between the University of Waikato, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, with each organisation contributing funds to make the service available, along with a grant from the New Zealand Transport Association (NZTA). The services will operate Monday to Friday excluding public holidays, between 14 February and 31 December 2022. Extension of the services beyond this date will be subject to a review of the trial. Read more.

Accessible Bus Concession

The free bus concession, disability concession or accessibility concession is available to anyone living in our region who meets the following eligibility criteria.

Criteria:

  • The Accessibility Concession is available to people who have an impairment which means they are permanently unable to drive.
  • The impairment can be physical, intellectual, psychological, sensory or neurological.

Concession:

  • 100% subsidy, 24/7 on all contracted BOPRC bus services throughout the region.
  • The Concession will be loaded on to a current Bee Card ($5 charge for the card).

Please view the Baybus website for the most up to date information.

Since 2001, we have developed and delivered a strong public transport network across the region, providing services to rural and urban communities, and supporting those with mobility challenges.

We manage the regional Baybus bus network that covers the Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatāne urban and rural areas. This network also provides the urban school bus network in Tauranga.

Bayhopper bus near The Mount
Bayhopper bus near The Mount.
Blue Bayhopper bus
Blue Bayhopper bus .
Baybus mobile app
Baybus mobile app.

Go to the Baybus website for timetables and routes, use the journey planner or call 0800 4 BAY BUS (0800 422 928).

Transit app

The Transit App is available to help you with your bus travel in Tauranga, providing you with real-time information about bus arrivals at your stop.

Register or withdraw commercial public transport services

We are responsible for the registration of public transport services in the region. 

If you are operating, or plan to operate, any type of commercial public transport service either in or passing through the Bay of Plenty, you must register your service at least 35 working days before the service is to start. We also need to be advised of any changes to a registered service including the intention to withdraw a registered service.

There's some important information you need to be aware of so that we - and you - can fulfil our responsibilities under the Public Transport Management Act 2008 (the Act).

Bus service registrations

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council (the Council) is responsible for the registration of public transport services in the region. In accordance with Sections 29 to 47 of the Act, we are required to register all public transport services operating in the region.

Operators are required to supply Council written notice of the details of the proposed service at least 35 working days before the commercial public transport service is to start.

Having registered a service, operators are required to notify Council of any changes to fares, timetables, routes and operating areas that may occur. There is no cost involved in the registering of services.

The register of transport services is available to the public, free of charge or at a reasonable charge, during normal office hours, at our office at 5 Quay Street, Whakatāne.

Note: A Regional Council may decline to register a passenger service under Section 33 of the Act. 

Registering a passenger transport service

If you are operating, or plan to operate, any type of commercial public transport service either in or passing through the Bay of Plenty, you must register your service at least 35 working days before the service is to start.

This requirement does not apply if the commercial public transport service does not pick up or drop off passengers in the region.

You can download an application to register a passenger service below.

Altering or withdrawing services

We need to be advised of any changes to a registered service including the intention to withdraw a registered service. Again, 35 working days notice must be adhered to as stated in the Act. 

You can download an application to vary a passenger service below.

Application and notification forms

To register, vary or withdraw a passenger service in writing, print out the handwritten version of the relevant form and post it to:

Mary McLaren
Passenger Transport Registration
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
PO Box 364
Whakatāne 3158

Application Forms
Application to Register a Proposed Passenger Service - electronic
Application to Register a Proposed Passenger Service - handwritten
Application to Vary a Commercial Service Registration - electronic
Application to Vary a Commercial Service Registration - handwritten
Application to Withdraw a Registered Passenger Service - electronic
Application to Withdraw a Registered Passenger Service - handwritten

For further information, please contact us on 0800 884 880.

Council is an approved organisation, which means we can apply for funding through the New Zealand Transport Agency to fund road safety, public transport services, Total Mobility and a range of other transport services. We can't receive funding for infrastructure. Visit the New Zealand Transport Agency website to find a comprehensive range of transport information and resources.