NBus – an awesome way to travel!

Autumn is upon us and winter will be next, so it's a great time to get on board with NBus, a warmer more comfortable way to travel. They have some brand new buses on the road now, so you'll really be travelling in style!

Autumn is upon us and winter will be next, so it's a great time to get on board with NBus, a warmer more comfortable way to travel. They have some brand new buses on the road now, so you'll really be travelling in style!

As well as the service between Nelson and Richmond that runs every 15 minutes at peak times via Tahunanui or Bishopdale (Routes 1 and 2), there are really handy NBus services operating in several Nelson neighbourhoods.

These routes, (numbered three to six) operate on the "hail and ride" system. That means you don't have to wait at a formal bus stop. You can wave down the bus anywhere along the route where it is safe (and legal) for the bus to stop. Just make sure you stand where the driver can see you and give them a big wave so they know you want to jump on board.

Route 3 – Travels from town through The Wood and out as far as Tresillian Ave in Atawhai, including a Dodson Valley loop.

Route 4 – This takes you from the Bridge Street depot all the way up the Brook Valley, passing right by the NMIT campus on the way.

Route 5 – Takes you right through the Victory area and up to the hospital, taking in Toi Toi, Murphy, St Vincent and Vanguard Streets along the way. There is an off peak loop that also takes in Kawai Street South three times a day.

Route 6 – This is an off peak only route that travels up Washington Road and Princes Drive and then around the Tahunanui hills as far as Tosswill Road. It runs three times a day.

All these routes connect up with the services between Nelson and Richmond too. If you are connecting with another service, remember to ask the drive for a transfer ticket so you don't have to buy a second ticket when you change buses.

Plan your trip

All NBus routes are now included on Google maps, providing a great travel planning service.

Simply go to Google Maps, enter your destination, click the Directions icon, then enter your current location and click on the transit icon, which looks like a train. This will give you all the options available via public transport, rather than driving, walking or cycling options.

It will show you the next available service that meets your needs and give you an approximate journey time.

Check out everything you need to know about NBus, including how to download the app, at nbus.co.nz.

What are you planning this year?