Discover Christchurch's high frequency bus routes
The shining stars of the Metro network are our six high frequency routes.
These bus services provide speedy access to many popular destinations. Experience the convenience of 10 to 15-minute intervals on weekdays, ensuring you never have long to wait. Their good evening and weekend frequencies make them a great option for seamless travel at any time.
Where is your nearest highly frequent service?
Many people walk, bike, scooter or drive to their nearest high frequency route, jumping on board the next bus as it arrives. Check out the route map.
Metro's high frequency services bring the greater Christchurch region closer, making it easy to get around the city and our surrounding suburbs and towns.
So, where will you go?
The Orbiter
Jump aboard our most popular bus route for easy access to Christchurch's malls and shops outside of the central city. You can even treat The Orbiter as the most affordable Christchurch tour on offer - have you done the whole loop??
The route includes Westfield Riccarton, Barrington Mall, Cashmere, St Martins shops, Eastgate Mall, The Palms and Northlands.
The Orbiter is along every 10 minutes, running in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, so you'll never have to wait long for a ride.
1 Rangiora & Belfast to Cashmere
Reaching our northern and southern city limits, Route 1 runs frequently and directly. It is ideal for commuting into work or Ara Institute, using the main thoroughfares and peak time express services.
Leave the rest of the traffic for dust thanks to the dedicated bus lanes along much of this route.
1 Rangiora & Belfast to Cashmere timetable
3 Airport & Sheffield Cres to Sumner
Whether you're heading to the beach, into the city, or out to the airport, there's no waiting around on route 3. Services run every 10 minutes all week, and every 15 minutes in the evenings and on the weekend.
Route 3 buses heading west alternate their destinations between the airport and the commercial area at Sheffield Crescent.
3 Airport & Sheffield Cres to Sumner timetable
5 New Brighton to Rolleston
Heading into the city from our western towns, or from the seaside suburb of New Brighton via Eastgate, route 5 runs at 10-15 minute intervals most of the day.
As one of our most popular services, this route also features express services from Rolleston to the city and Ara Institute in the morning and back again in the evening.
5 New Brighton to Rolleston timetable
7 Halswell to Queenspark
Accessing key destinations between Halswell and Queenspark, route 7 includes Addington at its western end and both The Palms and Burwood Hospital towards the east.
As a core route, it runs around every 15 minutes until 7pm, and half hourly in the evenings.
Stay tuned, as we're working to increasing the frequency of this service even more in 2024, subject to funding.
7 Halswell to Queenspark timetable
8 Port to Port (Airport to Lyttelton)
Introducing Metro's newest high frequency route!
The Route 8 Port to Port connects Christchurch Airport terminal with the CBD and continuing south all the way to Lyttelton, with some trips extending to Rāpaki.
Immediately south of the city, a customised schedule provides access via Colombo Street to the shopping hub of Sydenham, alternating, on weekdays, with trips to Ara.
Route 8 runs at frequencies of around 15 minutes throughout the day, ensuring you won't have to wait long to catch your ride.
Metro's high-frequency routes are designed to make your daily commute or leisurely travels easier and stress-free. And with all fares only $2 or less with your Metrocard, they are super affordable too, and an excellent way to save on transport costs while reducing your carbon footprint!
Enjoy your explorations!