Bus Information

Find all the information you need to know about using the goBay bus network. Use the goBay Frequently Asked Questions - just select a filter to quickly find the answers to your questions.

goBay is the regional public transport network operated by Go Bus Transport Ltd.

For information on booking charter services, please contact one of the following local transport service operators.

Go Bus Transport Ltd
Phone: (06) 878 9250
Email: hawkesbay@gobus.co.nz
Website: www.gobus.co.nz 

Tranzit Coachlines
Phone: 0508 TRANZIT (0508 8726948)
Website: https://tranzit.co.nz/

Waipawa Buses Ltd (WBL)
Phone: (06) 870 8740
Email: info@wbuses.co.nz
Website: www.wbuses.co.nz

Many of our bus services can help get you to school, but please note that these are fare paying services, not Ministry of Education services.

School Connections (PDF document)

With a Bee card a trip to EIT from anywhere on the goBay network is just $1, or $2 cash.

If you transfer from any other route to Route 12, within 30 minutes of your first trip, the transfer is free, so you’ll still only pay $1 with a Bee card or $2 cash.

Bee cards are available online at www.beecard.co.nz or from a bus driver, or from HB Regional Council, 159 Dalton Street and cost $5. Bee cards can be topped up with $5 or more (cash only payments onboard the bus).  Register your card online at the bee card website to protect your balance should your card get lost or stolen, and also to do online top-ups.

We encourage you to follow these simple suggestions while traveling with goBay to help make your public transport experience pleasant, comfortable and on time. Find out about how to catch and get on the bus, as well as expected behaviour once you're on board our bus services.

Here are nine tips so that everyone has a more enjoyable ride on the bus:

  • Get to the bust stop five minutes before your bus is due
  • Make sure you can be seen at the bus stop by standing near the kerb as the bus approaches
  • Wave to the driver as the bus approaches
  • Try to have the correct change for your fare, as drivers can’t always change large notes
  • Have your fare/smartcard/ID/Hospital appointment letter, ready for the driver
  • Take your seat promptly as the driver cannot pull out of the bus stop until passengers are seated (unless all of the seats are taken)
  • When you wish to disembark, press the ‘stop bus’ buzzer as you approach your bus stop, but stay seated until the bus has stopped (please note that for health and safety reasons bus drivers can only stop in designated bus stops).
  • If all of the seats are taken and you are fit and healthy, be prepared to offer your seat to someone who may need it more than you i.e. pregnant passengers, passengers with small children, elderly passengers and passengers with a disability/mobility issue
  • Eating, drinking, smoking/vaping and playing loud music is not permitted on the bus.

 Refer to our Conditions of Carriage for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Accessibility

Yes, as long as your weight combined with your wheelchair doesn’t exceed 240kgs and/or doesn’t take up a space of more than 700mm wide and 1200mm long. Once the driver has lowered the ramp, you must be able to board, pay your fare and alight independently, otherwise you would need to travel with a support person who can assist you.

Airport

Unfortunately not, however the airport is well serviced by taxi and shuttle services. For more information visit the Hawke's Bay Airport website.

Children under 5

We have moved to a flat fare system where all passengers pay the same fare, however under 5’s travel free anytime and SuperGold cardholders travel free between 9am and 3pm on weekdays and anytime during weekends/public holidays.

Yes, as long as there is room in the wheelchair bay, otherwise you may be required to fold your pram/stroller.

See more in our prams and strollers flyer.

Bikes

All our buses are equipped with bike racks. There are two bike racks on the front of each bus, they can be used free of charge on a first-come first-served basis. Your bike must weight under 25kg to be able to be stored on the bike racks.

If no space is available, then you will have to wait for the next bus. Bikes are not permitted inside the bus due to health and safety regulations.

Find out more in our bikes in buses flyer.

Unfortunately not, the driver may tell you how to load your bike, but loading and unloading the bike is your responsibility.

Yes, while on the bus bikes are insured for up to $2,000.

Find out more in our bikes in buses flyer.

Seniors

We have moved to a flat fare system where all passengers pay the same fare, however under 5’s travel free anytime and SuperGold cardholders travel free between 9am and 3pm on weekdays and anytime during weekends/public holidays.

Yes, between 9am and 3pm on weekdays and anytime at the weekends and Public Holidays.

If you only travel during the SuperGold card free periods, you just need to show your SuperGold card to the driver. If you travel outside of these times or in other regions of New Zealand, you will need cash or a Bee card.

To get a replacement card phone 0800 25 45 65.

Yes, as long as your weight combined with your wheelchair doesn’t exceed 240kgs and/or doesn’t take up a space of more than 700mm wide and 1200mm long. Once the driver has lowered the ramp, you must be able to board, pay your fare and alight independently, otherwise you would need to travel with a support person who can assist you.

Yes, you can get one by phoning (06) 835 9200 or emailing goBay@hbrc.govt.nz.

Fares

Unfortunately not, fares are payable with cash or a Bee Card only.

The right change is not essential, but it is appreciated as bus drivers often run out of change, and changing large denomination notes ($50, $100) can be very difficult.

We have moved to a flat fare system where all passengers pay the same fare, however under 5’s travel free anytime and SuperGold cardholders travel free between 9am and 3pm on weekdays and anytime during weekends/public holidays.

Hospital

Yes, if you show the bus driver your District Health Board appointment card, letter or text, dated for the day of travel. You can also take a support person with you, free of charge.

Lost Property

For lost property, phone Go Bus Transport Ltd on (06) 878 9250.

Pets

Yes, any type of pet can travel on the bus, free of charge, in off-peak times, as long as they’re secured in a pet carrier, which can sit on your knee for the duration of the journey. This does not apply to guide dogs or special service assistance dogs, who can travel at any time.

Bee Card

Bee cards are available from bus drivers or from HB Regional Council for $5 each (cash only onboard the bus). Bee cards are also available online at www.beecard.co.nz 

Bee cards can also be purchased from Hastings Libraries for $20 each ($5 card fee, $15 pre-loaded travel).

Bee cards can be topped up onboard the bus with cash ($5 minimum), at HB Regional Council or online at www.beecard.co.nz

To enable online top-ups and protect the balance should the card be lost or stolen, Bee cards can be registered at www.beecard.co.nz 

Find out more on our Bee Card page

If your Bee card is registered, the balance from the lost card can be transferred to a new Bee card.

Yes, Bee Card fares are $1 for a one zone trip and $2 for a two zone trip. Cash fares are $2 for a one zone trip and $3 for a two zone trip.

Students

We have moved to a flat fare system where all passengers pay the same fare, however under 5’s travel free anytime and SuperGold cardholders travel free between 9am and 3pm on weekdays and anytime during weekends/public holidays.

Timetable

By phoning Hawkes Bay District Council on (06) 835 9200, from any bus driver, public libraries, Napier i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council or by emailing goBay@hbrc.govt.nz.

You can also print individual route timetables from our timetable pages. Select your route and then use the tabs to download a printable PDF timetable.

Yes, you can get one by phoning (06) 835 9200 or emailing goBay@hbrc.govt.nz.

All bus services except routes 10 and 11 operate on Saturday.

Yes, routes 12, 20 and 21 operate on Sundays.

There are no services on Christmas Day or Good Friday. On all other Public Holidays the Saturday timetable will be in operation, unless the Public Holiday falls on a Sunday, in which case the Sunday timetable will be in operation.

Transfers

Yes, there are two zones, Napier to/from Hastings, Flaxmere, and Havelock North is a two zone trip. The zone boundaries are Clive and EIT. All trips to and from Clive or EIT are one zone trips.

You can make a free transfer to any other route (same zone) within 30 minutes of purchase of your ticket. If you plan to transfer from a one zone trip to a two zone trip, be sure to tell your one zone trip driver who will issue you with a two zone fare. Remember to hold on to your ticket to show to the driver of your second trip. (Free transfers do not apply to return trips or SuperGold card trips).

More FAQs

No, buses can only stop at designated bus stops.

We only travel around Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere. For bus travel outside the region you will need to contact InterCity Services by phoning 835 4326, calling into any i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, or at www.intercity.co.nz

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While every endeavour has been taken by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council to ensure that the information on this website is accurate and up to date, Hawke's Bay Regional Council shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or indirectly, of information on this website. Information contained has been assembled in good faith. Some of the information available in this site is from the New Zealand Public domain and supplied by relevant government agencies. Hawke's Bay Regional Council cannot accept any liability for its accuracy or content. Portions of the information and material on this site, including data, pages, documents, online graphics and images are protected by copyright, unless specifically notified to the contrary. Externally sourced information or material is copyright to the respective provider.

© Hawke's Bay Regional Council - www.gobay.co.nz / +64 6 000 0000 / info@gobay.co.nz