Passenger transport

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Fares and concessions

Public transport fares in Waikato region use a standardized zone system - simply pay for the zones you travel through. The best fares are available with Bee Card.

If you're eligible for a concession, please apply prior to travel. Read more online about fares for BUSIT and Te Huia services.

Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP)

Waikato Regional Council is responsible for the planning, management and provision of public transport in the region.

The Waikato Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) sets out the priorities and needs of public transport services and infrastructure to be delivered in the Waikato over a 10-year period. It’s prepared in partnership with territorial authorities and key stakeholders from a wide range of sectors.

Learn more about the RPTP

Passenger transport schemes and services

Bus services

Waikato Regional Council is responsible for contracting and providing bus services in Hamilton city and for some of the region's communities. You can find information on timetables and our bus services on the BUSIT website.

Passenger rail

Waikato Regional Council is responsible for the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service, Te Huia, which began in 2021. You can find information on train timetables and services on the Te Huia website.

Total Mobility

Total Mobility is a door to door national transport scheme involving disability support agencies, taxi companies and local government. The scheme is designed to increase the mobility of people with disabilities, to allow equitable access to the community. Find out more on the Total Mobility website.

National Ticketing Solution | Motu Move

How you pay to travel on public transport in Aotearoa New Zealand is changing.

The National Ticketing Solution (NTS) is a partnership between the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and 13 Public Transport Authorities (PTAs) which will provide a range of easy-to-use payment methods for all public transport across the country.

The new national system will be called Motu Move. Customers will be able to pay for public transport using contactless debit or credit cards and digital payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile phones and smart watches, as well as a prepaid Motu Move card and pre-bought tickets.

Motu Move implementation will start in Canterbury in late 2024 followed by a region-by-region rollout.

Waikato Regional Council is estimated to begin implementation of the NTS in later 2026, however dates are yet to be confirmed.

For more updates, please find the latest information on the NZTA Waka Kotahi website.

Public transport service - registration and notification forms

If you are operating any type of passenger transport operation either in, or passing through the Waikato region, you must register your service with Waikato Regional Council. You will also need to advise of any changes to a registered service including the intention to withdraw it.

The application or notification must be received no less than 15 days before the service starts or the change occurs. There is no cost to register or notify changes to a service

The relevant forms are available, below.