New to using the bus?

Familarise yourself with all things BUSIT by checking out our A-Z list below!

A B C F J L M P R S T V W

Accessibility concession

The accessibility concession enables those with an impairment that means they are unable to drive to free travel on all BUSIT services that travel to, from and within Hamilton, and Te Huia. Find out if you're eligble here.

 

Alcohol

Alcohol is not permitted for consumption on the bus. This is in accordance with the Transport Act and there are no exceptions.

Animals

The only animals permitted on our bus services are official assistance dogs. We allow all assistance dogs on board our buses, including hearing dogs, seeing eye dogs, dogs for epilepsy and other medical conditions. Please carry the appropriate identification cards from recognised organisations with you when you travel. The driver may ask for this upon you boarding the bus.

Bee Card

Bee Cards makes bus travel smarter, easier, and cheaper.

Use your Bee Card to tag on and off the bus. You’ll hear a beep and then you’re ready to go. When you tag on and off, the system automatically calculates the lowest fare. Find out more about the Bee Card here.

Bike racks

Update as of 9 November 2024 - Bike racks are temporilarily unavailable.

Find out more Bike racks – BUSIT

 

Bike racks are available on these services: 20 Cambridge, 21 Northern Connector, 22 Eastern Connector, 23 Raglan, 24 Te Awamutu and Taupō Connector. There are no bike racks on Hamilton buses. Use of the rack, including loading and unloading of bicycles is the responsibility of the passenger. There is no additional charge for the carrying of a bicycle on this bus. Find out more about bike racks.

Bus stops

Hamilton City buses can only stop at official Hamilton City bus stops. These bus stops are clearly signposted. Please do not request your driver to stop elsewhere. All bus stops are listed on each bus route page on our website.

Some regional bus services operate a hail and ride service, where the bus will stop to pick up or drop off passengers where it is safe to do so. Please contact the BUSIT team at the Transport Centre on 07 859 0509 to ask about hail and ride locations. 

BUSIT Card

The BUSIT card has been replaced by Bee Card.

BUSIT transfer credits have now ceased so we are no longer available to transfer balances. 

BUSIT counter

Come and see us to plan your journey, pick up timetables, buy or top up your Bee Card. We're located inside the Hamilton Transport Centre opposite the cafe. Our counter is open 8am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday. 

Call us

0800 205 305 is BUSIT's free timetable and general enquiry phone line. Operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CCTV

CCTV cameras are present on many buses for safety and security. These take both audio and visual recordings.

 

Children

Children under 5 travel free on all BUSIT services. They do not require a Bee Card or ID.

Fireworks

Fireworks are not permitted on buses.

 

Food and Drink

No food or drink is permitted for consumption on the bus. You may carry grocery items onboard.

Journey Planning

Use the Journey Planner to find the best way to your destination. Enter where you want to travel to and from, and you'll be presented with a list of options with bus routes, times and bus stop locations.  

Bus timetables and maps are also on each route page or from the BUSIT counter at the Hamilton Transport Centre.

Lost property

No responsibility will be accepted by the bus companies or Waikato Regional Council for lost property. If you find an item on the bus that does not belong to you or a fellow passenger, please give it to the driver. If you've lost an item on a bus, phone 0800 205 305 to record it missing.  

We try our best to get lost property back to owners. We hold all lost property for one month.  

Mobility scooters

Selected mobility scooters are approved to go on the bus. Others are not permitted due to size and weight restrictions. Go here to see a list of approved mobility scooters.

 

Prams

Prams are permitted on buses, but you are responsible for your child's safety. Ensure prams are securely stowed and put the brake on! Wheelchairs take priority in the designated wheelchair space so you may be asked to fold your pram up. 

Public holidays

Most of our bus services run on public holidays. Please visit the individual route page for more information.

School services

With 20 routes crossing the city, and many buses serving regional schools, most schools are either on a bus route or just a short walk away. Click here for more information. 

For information on Ministry of Education school buses, please contact your school office.

Signal the bus driver

Please signal the bus driver when waiting at the bus stop. If you do not signal, the driver may not stop.

 

Skateboards and scooters

Scooters (that fold) and skateboards are permitted on buses but must be securely stowed at all times for the safety of other passengers.

Smoking

All of our bus services are proudly smokefree. You are not permitted to smoke on a bus under any circumstances.

 

Suggestions

You can comment on or make suggestions regarding our bus services by contacting us.

 

Timetables

Printed timetables are available on the bus or from the BUSIT counter at the Hamilton Transport Centre. 

Every effort is made to run services to their advertised timetable, however we cannot make any guarantees due to the unpredictable nature of the operating environment.

Transit App

Transit, the free realtime bus app is available from the App Store and Google Play.

This is a great way to track your bus, search the nearest or soonest bus, and to receive service alert information.

All BUSIT users should use the free Transit Royale version for the best experience.

Vaping

All of our bus services are proudly vape free. You are not permitted to vape on a bus under any circumstances.

Wheelchairs

All buses on Hamilton urban services are wheelchair friendly.

Wheelchairs must be under a combined (person + chair) weight of 250kg and 80cm in width to travel on the bus. The operator always aims to operate accessible buses, however there may be times when this is not possible due to operational reasons.

WiFi

Free WiFi is available on the following services: 20 Cambridge, 21 Northern Connector, 22 Eastern Connector, 23 Raglan and 24 Te Awamutu. Find out more about WiFi access and terms and conditions of use.