You can turn up and go on Metro’s Route 7 from late April

Metro’s Route 7 Halswell/Queenspark service is set to become even more convenient, thanks to an increase in frequency. 

The service will run every 10 minutes from 5.30AM to 6.30PM on weekdays and every 15 minutes outside of those hours, starting from Monday 28 April 2025.

This frequency improvement was approved through Environment Canterbury's 2024–34 Long-Term Plan and has been enabled with funding through NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s (NZTA) 2024–27 National Land Transport Programme. 

We’ve listened to the community and their calls for more buses on this route, especially at peak times, so we’re looking forward to delivering that for our customers. An additional five buses have been procured to enable the increased frequency on this popular route.

The improvement is beginning as a two-year trial. Our aim is to secure permanent funding for the service, and we will continue working with central government on this. We will also be connecting with communities along the route to ensure that we all make the most of this opportunity.

The frequency change is being undertaken in tandem with other improvements delivered by partners Christchurch City Council and NZTA which includes bus stop upgrades, a new bus parking space and bus lanes on State Highway 75 Halswell Road. 

Route 7 is already one of Metro’s most popular services, connecting the Southwest of the city to the Northeast via the central city. The route covers several communities including Halswell, Addington, Edgeware, Shirley, Avondale, Parklands and Queenspark. It’s a convenient way to get to Ngā Puna Wai, Hillmorton and Christchurch Hospitals, The Palms and upcoming developments such as the Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre in the city.