The local bus service is managed by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Buses run seven days a week and on all public holidays except Christmas Day.
The buses in Tauranga are called the Bay Hoppers. Each bus stop and bus shelter is numbered. Bus users are able to obtain timetable information by following information provided at each bus stop.
View a timetable or check out local services
The most convenient way to pay for the bus is using a Bee card which replaced the Smartride card in July 2020. This is a reusable prepay card which gives you a 20% discount off the cash price on the urban bus services and some rural ones.
SuperGold card holders need a Bee Card to obtain free SuperGold travel concessions.
Information on how to purchase, top-up and use the Bee card can be found on the BayBus website.
Central city bus interchange
Learn more about the central city bus interchange move
Regional bus services
A regional bus service links to Rotorua, Te Puke, Katikati, Whakatane, Opotiki and Kawerau. View timetables
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 please call 0800 4 BAYBUS.
School buses
School buses within the urban area are managed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. More information on Schoolhopper bus routes
Other services
For all other bus services please contact the i-Site Visitor Information Centres by phone on 07 578 8103 or email i-Site for assistance.
New bus stops
Our role at Tauranga City Council is to help make it as easy as possible for people to catch the bus. We look after the physical infrastructure – things like bus stops, bus shelters, seats and bus lanes.
Things we consider when finding the most appropriate site for a bus stop include:
- How much room is available for the bus to safely approach and leave?
- How safe is it for people to get to the bus stop?
- Are there any pedestrian crossings nearby?
- How easy is it for people to get on and off the bus?
- How far away is it from other bus stops?
To report damage to a bus shelter or to request to be installed in your area phone Council on 07 577 7000.
Bus lanes
Bus lanes are for buses and people riding bikes, motorbikes and mopeds only. Other vehicles are only allowed to use the bus lane for no more than 50 metres before turning at an intersection or into a driveway, or when merging back into the main traffic lane after exiting from a driveway.
Anyone driving illegally in a bus lane may receive a $150 fine.
Pay a bus lane infringement online
Hairini
Section 2.3(f) of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 and Clause 6 of the Traffic and Parking By-Law 2012 does not allow vehicles of the class that you were driving to use the Special Vehicle (Bus) Lane. Drivers unless specified above are not permitted to exit Hairini Street onto Turret Road, Tauranga.
Hewletts
Section 2.3(f) of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 and Clause 6 of the Traffic and Parking By-Law 2012 allow vehicles of the class that you were driving to use the Special Vehicle (Bus) Lane for not more than 50 metres only for the purpose of turning left into or out of side streets or properties.
Land Transport Road user Rule: Land Transport legislation states; Rule 2.3(1)(f) (Road User) Rule 2004 that bus lanes are for buses and people riding bikes, motorbikes and mopeds only.