Metlink On Demand
The Metlink On Demand service is coming to an end. The last day of service will be Tuesday 31 December 2024.
When the On Demand Service ends on the 31 December 2024, all your personal data linked with the service will be permanently deleted. This will happen within 14 days of the service ending and Metlink will only retain anonymised trip data. You do not need to do anything now or delete your account.
Remember, if you still want to use the service in December, you need to keep your account open.
The On-Demand service has been running as a trial for over two years in the Tawa and Porirua region. The pilot was successful and attracted many passengers; however, it was deemed to be financially unsustainable. Metlink are now looking at a new option which will be a fixed route service.
The new replacement bus service will provide similar access within Tawa however Metlink is looking to gain feedback about the proposed route first, see below for the map.
Feedback is open now and continues throughout the process of creating the new route. Changes can be made even after it has begun operating to suit passengers and the community. Fill in the feedback form or call our contact centre on 0800 801 700 to give your feedback.
The proposed route will be a scheduled service set to a timetable but with the option of still being able to pull over at any point along the route that is safe.
The new service is looking to start early 2025, however there will be an initial two-month period without a service while planning and implementation is carried out. More details to come in early 2025 about the new fixed route.
A new mode of public transport
Metlink On Demand is a unique corner-to-corner bus service, available to the residents of Tawa and the Porirua CBD.
Metlink On Demand Hours
Monday to Friday 6:30am to 8pm
Saturday 8:30am to 7:30pm
Sunday 9am to 4:30pm
Metlink On Demand App
Downloading the On Demand app requires a smartphone with data and location services turned on while using the app. Payment is only done through the app, so a debit or credit card is required to setup an account.
We know that some of our users have received a less than ideal experience booking one of our vehicles. For Android users, the Metlink On Demand app is compatible with Android 9 and up and available on Google Play.
Need a little help?
You can visit our On Demand Getting Started Guide if you’re looking for some guidance on downloading or using our app.
Bookings
Book your ride using the Metlink On Demand app.
The service can only be booked and paid for by using the On Demand app that you download to your smartphone. During the trial, there are no website bookings or phone bookings through the Contact Centre. On Demand services cannot be flagged down (ie: it's not a hail & ride service).
- Select your pick-up and drop-off locations, and how many passengers to pick up (up to 10 passengers). Be sure to let us know any accessibility needs too.
- Choose one of the suggested pick-up or drop off times.
- Smart technology allocates a seat on a bus that meets your journey needs, along with other passengers sharing the vehicle who have similar pickup locations and destinations.
- The app will guide you to your virtual stop, where the On Demand driver will pick you up. Since the On Demand service uses both traditional bus stops and virtual bus stops, ensure you have the map on the app zoomed in so you can meet your driver at the right place.
- Driver will ask your name and tick your name off on the list on their screen. It's helpful to have your app open to identify yourself.
- On the way to your destination, other passengers may be picked up and dropped off. The drop off order may not be the same as the order you are picked up. Please note that the driver is not the one who decides the order, but the On Demand system.
The service uses “virtual stops” as points to pick up and drop off passengers. A virtual stop is a curb side, unmarked location on a city street where buses will pick up passengers. This is not a traditional bus stop and there is no signage or marked area for buses. These stops allow for quick and efficient shared trips without inconvenient fixed routes and schedules.
Virtual stops are located approximately every 100m. However, this may vary due to footpath, road, or other conditions which could impact the safety of passengers getting on or off the bus.
Fares & Payment
All On Demand rides are booked and paid through the Metlink On Demand app. EFTPOS, Cash, Snapper and paper tickets are not accepted.
If you hold a SuperGold card, travel is free during off-peak journeys only, and must be selected at the time of booking. Children under 5 ride free, but a seat must be booked for them. Child fare applies, but other concessions and discounts, such as off-peak fares, do not apply. All travel on the On Demand service is considered one fare zone, so a flat rate applies.
Fares until 30 June 2024
- Adult $2.50
- Child $2.50
Fares from 1 July 2024
- Adult $3.00
- Child $1.50