Plan Ahead - Term 2 Changes

Term 2 Changes
From Sunday 27 April Metlink are making significant adjustments to bus timetables and routes to enhance service efficiency and accommodate growing demand.
Several routes will be affected, including the Beacon Hill Shuttle (Route 28), being discontinued, and the N2 and N3 after midnight services being replaced by late night Route 2 services. The Route 12e service will transition to a new express route, 38x.
Some routes will receive extra morning and afternoon peak services. Extra services will be introduced across weekends for select routes, and minor timetable adjustments will improve on-time reliability.
The following bus routes will have changes to their timetables from Sunday 27 April, please ensure you plan ahead and check your timetable before you travel.
Changes happening to Route 2 are:
- The Nightrider services N2 & N3 will be replaced by Route 2 services at midnight, 1am & 2am, 5am, departing from both Seatoun (Via Miramar terminus) & Karori.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 3 are:
- An extra service from each Lyall Bay and Rongotai in the AM peak due to increased patronage.
- Minor timetable adjustments for service enhancements.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 4 are:
- The Route 4 will become a 20-minute frequency on a Saturday between 8am and 3pm (to cover the removal of Route 18).
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 12e are:
The 12e is changing to a new Express route (38x), which includes Kilbirnie Hub and misses Hataitai Hub.
The 38x will stop at all stops between Stop 7099 (Strathmore Park - Kekerenga Street) and Stop 7080 (Miramar Avenue at Portsmouth Road). From there it is express to Courtenay Place - only stopping at Kilbirnie Bus Interchange. Then it stops at all stops between Courtney Place Stop A and Wellington Station Stop A.
The 38x departing from Strathmore does not travel to Wellington Station, and ends its journey at Stop 5113 Molesworth St (near 95). The 38x departs from Wellington Station Stop A heading to Strathmore.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 14 are:
- An extra service from each Wilton and Kilbirnie in the AM peak due to increased patronage.
- Minor timetable adjustments for service enhancements.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 18 are:
- The weekend services are being removed, replaced by targeted services.
- The last 2 weekday services will be removed, with some timetable adjustments to still cover late lectures from Victoria University.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 20 are:
- Removal of a section of the route from Mt Vic Lookout to Kilbirnie (No SPCA access) due to low patronage.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
The Beacon Hill Shuttle will end operation from Thursday 24 April.
Your alternative bus options are Route 2 or 4 or for schools Route 722 for Scots College and Route 760 for Kahurangi School.
Changes happening to Route 30x are:
- An extra service from Moa Point in the AM peak due to increased patronage.
- Minor timetable adjustments for service enhancements.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 31x are:
- An extra service from Miramar North in the AM peak due to increased patronage.
- Minor Timetable adjustments for service enhancements.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 33 are:
- The Route 33 will now be a loop service, between Karori Mall, Karori South, back to Karori Mall during the day.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 35 are:
- Three extra peak weekday PM services added.
- Timetable adjustments to accommodate the new services and the following 4 services (Outbound only).
- Minor timetable adjustments for inbound services.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 81 are:
- An extra service from Eastbourne in the AM peak due to increased patronage.
- Minor timetable adjustments for service enhancements.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 83 are:
- Most weekend services are now double-decker buses.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
The Nightrider services will end operation. N2 & N3 will be replaced by the following Route 2 services.
- Saturday and Sunday services depart from Courtenay Place to Karori
- 0:28am, 1:28am and 2:28am
- Saturday and Sunday services depart from Courtenay Place to Seatoun/Miramar
- 0:21am, 1:21am and 2:21am
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
The Nightrider services will end operation. N2 & N3 will be replaced by the following Route 2 services.
- Saturday and Sunday services depart from Courtenay Place to Karori
- 0:28am, 1:28am and 2:28am
- Saturday and Sunday services depart from Courtenay Place to Seatoun/Miramar
- 0:21am, 1:21am and 2:21am
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Metlink is re-introducing the Route 700 from Wellington Station to the Basin Reserve (Wellington College / St Marks), due to increasing demand with increasing school rolls.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Changes happening to Route 751 are:
- The Route 751 will be split into 2 services, with 1 going to St Patricks College and 1 going to Rongotai College.
- Both services will be rerouted up Pirie Street, to use the Hataitai bus tunnel.
- This is in response to an increasing role at Wellington East College. (Students can disembark on Pirie Street)
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
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The timetables are being improved for better reliability on routes 611, 614, 617, 619, 621, 623, 667, 711, 712, 715, 716, 717, 719, 721, 722, 736, 739, 740, 742, 744, 745, 751, 754, 755, 758, 760, 764, 767, 768, 784, 791, 888.
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There will be no changes to departure times on ANY school routes.
Plan ahead: The updated timetable reflecting these changes will be available from 13 April 2025.
Public transport improvements on the Kāpiti Coast
Your new and improved Paraparaumu transport hub will open on Sunday 25 August.
All temporary bus stops in the station car park will close and the three new permanent bus stops in the hub will open.
The following bus routes will have changes to their timetables from the 25th August, please ensure you plan ahead and check your timetable before you travel.
Changes happening to route 250 are:
- One extra service in the morning peak time (7:00-9:00 AM)
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Two extra services in the afternoon peak time
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One extra service introduced in the evening (6:50 PM service)
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Start times have been updated to show the increased service. Make sure you check the timetable before traveling.
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Service departs from Paraparaumu Hub Stop A
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Service arrives at Paraparaumu Hub Stop C
Weekend
Changes happening to route 251 are:
- The 251 to Paekākāriki will travel via Paraparaumu Station (BRT) Northbound.
- The 251 to Kapiti Health Centre will travel via Paraparaumu Station (BRT) Southbound.
- No changes to timetable.
Please find the 251 timetable here.(external link)
Changes happening to route 260 are:
Inbound (Raumati Beach – Paraparaumu Beach – Paraparaumu)
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Four extra services have been introduced in both the morning and afternoon peak times (Two each) *inbound from Raumati Beach)
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Start times have been updated to show the increased service. Customers are advised to check timetables.
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Service arrives at Paraparaumu hub Stop C
Outbound (Paraparaumu – Paraparaumu Beach – Raumati Beach)
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Two extra services in the morning peak time (Outbound from Paraparaumu Hub)
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Three extra services in the afternoon peak time (Outbound from Paraparaumu Hub)
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Start times have been updated to show the increased service. Customers are advised to check timetables.
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Service departs from Paraparaumu Hub Stop A
Weekend
Inbound
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Services beginning in (Raumati – Paraparaumu Hub) have changed start times. (Both Saturday + Sunday)
Outbound
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One extra service has been added at 6:15 PM (previously no service from 6-7:00 PM)
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Start times have changed slightly (both Saturday + Sunday)
Please find the 260 timetable here.(external link)
Changes happening to route 261 are:
Outbound (Paraparaumu – Paraparaumu Beach)
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Two extra services in the morning peak time (Outbound from Paraparaumu Hub)
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More services provided in the afternoon peak time (now 20 min intervals) (outbound from Paraparaumu Hub)
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Final service now departs Paraparaumu Hub at 7:13 PM (Previously 6:54 PM)
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A total of five extra services in the weekdays
Inbound (Paraparaumu Beach – Paraparaumu)
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The early morning (prior to 7:00 AM) schedule remains the same (6:10,6:40 AM)
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One extra service in the morning peak time (Paraparaumu Beach – Paraparaumu Hub)
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Two extra services in the afternoon peak time (Paraparaumu Beach – Paraparaumu Hub)
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Start times have been updated to show the current timetable, travellers should check the timetable for updates.
Weekend
Inbound
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Both Saturday and Sunday have one extra service added (last one was 3pm now 4pm daily)
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Start times have been adjusted (Both Saturday + Sunday)
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The weekend services begin 27 minutes earlier than before (now 7:10 AM was 7:37 AM), while maintaining the consistent hour frequency until after 7:00 PM when it operates at 42 minutes past the hour.
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Services maintain the hourly frequency (Saturday + Sunday)
Outbound
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Services now depart 11 minutes earlier than the last timetable (buses now depart at 43 mins past the hour as opposed to 54 mins e.g., 7:54 is now 7:43 AM)
Changes happening to route 262 are:
Outbound (Paraparaumu – Paraparaumu Beach Via Mazengarb Road)
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Services depart from Paraparaumu Hub Stop B
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Service arrives at Paraparaumu Hub Stop C
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Afternoon peak times have more services, 20-minute intervals after 4:00 PM (Paraparaumu Hub)
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Service start times have changed to show the increased frequency.
Inbound (Paraparaumu Beach – Paraparaumu via Mazengarb Road)
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One extra service has been added prior to 7:00 AM
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Frequency in the morning peak time results in one extra service from Paraparaumu Beach
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Two extra services in the afternoon peak time
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Start times have been adjusted to show the increased services, customers are advised to check timetables.
Weekend
Outbound
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Services (prior to 7:00 PM) now begin 11 minutes earlier than previous start times.
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Services from 6:00-9:00 PM maintain the same 15 minutes past the hour frequency (Hourly)
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Sunday services now begin 11 minutes earlier than before (e.g., 7:13 AM now as opposed to 7:24 AM) but maintain the same frequency.
Inbound (Saturday + Sunday)
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Services now depart at 37 minutes past the hour (previously 5) e.g., 8:37 now as opposed to 8:05 AM before
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Hourly frequency is maintained between services.
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Services now start and finish earlier. First service is at 7:37 AM and final service is 6:37 PM
Please find the 262 timetable here.(external link)
Changes happening to route 264 are:
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The 264 to Kapiti Health Centre will travel via Paraparaumu Station (BRT) Southbound.
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The 264 to Paraparaumu east will travel via Paraparaumu Station (BRT) Northbound.
- No changes to timetable.
Please find the 264 timetable here.(external link)
Changes happening to route 290 are:
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First service from Waikanae now departs at 7:00 AM as opposed to the previous 7:08 AM departure.
Weekend Changes (Both Saturday + Sunday)
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First service now departs at 7:49 AM from Otaki (Previously 8:00 AM)
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Services have an hourly frequency, however run earlier than the previous timetable.
Please find the 290 timetable here.(external link)
Fares for under 25s are changing 1 May 2024
The government has made the decision to withdraw the government funding for the age-based concessions that have been in place since 1 September 2023. As a result, fares for children aged 5-12 and young adults under 25 years old will automatically return to the standard price fares from 1 May 2024. The current age-based concessions are funded by the government.
Links for more information about the affected concessions:
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Under 13 free pass (5-12 years)
- Free travel ends, and Child Fare Concession of 50% off adult fare applies.
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Child fare 13-18 years old (or still in secondary school)
- 75% discount ends, and 50% off adult fare applies for children aged between 13 to 16 years old.
- Children over 16 years will need to buy a Red Snapper card, and full adult fare applies unless eligible for another concession.
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Young Adult (Connect) (19-24 years)
- This concession ends, and full adult fare applies, unless eligible for another concession.
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Under 18s who are eligible for the Accessible Concession
- Under 18s who have been using one of the aged-based concessions listed above instead of the Accessible Concession will need to use their Te Hunga Whaikaha Total Mobility card to travel on the Accessible Concession, which continues as a 50% discount off adult fares.
All other concessions and fares are not affected.
New Bus Route 4
We're introducing a new high frequency bus route that runs seven days a week, including every 15 minutes during daytime on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends.
Route 4 runs from Strathmore Park to Wilton/Mairangi Road, via Newtown, Wellington Regional Hospital, the central city, and Te Herenga Waka Victoria University’s Kelburn campus.
The route is a great addition to the residents living in Strathmore Park, Miramar, Newtown, Wilton, and Northland, as it provides easy access to the city centre, Wellington Regional Hospital and the university.
Route 4 will cover part of the route 22. This means the route 22 will run between Wellington Station and Victoria University as a weekday shuttle service to the university, with an hourly service to Johnsonville.
Route 4 replaces, extends and increases frequency to the previous route 12 and increases services for regular route 22 users.


Route 20 Extension
Route 20 will travel through to Wellington Station instead of ending at Courtenay Place, starting 28 January 2024.
The extended bus service is a great addition for Roseneath and Mt Victoria residents wanting to travel into the central city, for tourists to Mt Victoria and people visiting the SPCA.
- PDF downloads and paper brochures will be available from mid-January.

Bus Service Reinstatements
All suspended Tranzurban services will be reinstated, and a full timetable will run on the Wellington routes 1, 7, 23, 24, 25, 29, 32, 39, HX, and Porirua routes 210, 220, 226, 230, and 236.
Timetable Updates from 28 January
With patronage back to pre-covid levels, Metlink is updating timetables and adding extra trips to some routes. Web timetables are available online now.
- Paper brochures will be available for core and standard routes from mid-January.
- PDF downloads of core routes, standard routes and peak-only routes will be available from mid-January.
If your route is affected by these changes, we encourage you to ensure your timetables are up to date.
Some minor time changes, plus some additional services between Wellington Station and the University.
The new route 4 will cover part of the route 22. This means the route 22 will run between Wellington Station and Victoria University as a weekday shuttle service to the university, with an hourly service to Johnsonville.
At Wellington Station, bus 22 will return to picking up at Stop D, and won't pickup at Stop A anymore.
22 PDF timetable coming soon.
School bus timetable changes
Improved timetables to better align with bell times for Thorndon School buses (St Mary’s School, Wellington Girls School and Queen Margaret’s School).
Improved Network Map & Timetable Brochure Design
The introduction of route and timetable changes requires a new network map and printed timetable brochures.
Network maps showing the 28 January changes are available online now.
We are using this opportunity to refresh and simplify the design of our printed timetable brochures. This helps manage the cost of printing, and allows customers to print clearer timetables at home on demand. More information on the new timetable brochures coming soon.