Bus Route Review 17 and 28

In June 2022, Environment Canterbury and Waka Kotahi approved funding for the improvements to routes 17 and 28.

This includes:

  • Changing the 17 and 28 routes to a high-frequency Port to Port route (8) and a new Northwood to Huntsbury route (27)
  • The purchase of seven additional electric buses
  • A two-year trial of the Port to Port route with alternating services to Ara and Brougham St/Colombo St on weekdays
  • The Port to Port servicing the airport terminal stop

When will these changes happen?

The new Port to Port (8) and Northwood to Huntsbury (27) routes replaced routes 17 and 18 on 4 September 2023. Learn more about the changes in Environment Canterbury's media release.

For more details check out our Updates tab below.

In June 2022, Environment Canterbury and Waka Kotahi approved funding for the improvements to routes 17 and 28.

This includes:

  • Changing the 17 and 28 routes to a high-frequency Port to Port route (8) and a new Northwood to Huntsbury route (27)
  • The purchase of seven additional electric buses
  • A two-year trial of the Port to Port route with alternating services to Ara and Brougham St/Colombo St on weekdays
  • The Port to Port servicing the airport terminal stop

When will these changes happen?

The new Port to Port (8) and Northwood to Huntsbury (27) routes replaced routes 17 and 18 on 4 September 2023. Learn more about the changes in Environment Canterbury's media release.

For more details check out our Updates tab below.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Will the new Northwood to Hunstbury still have a stop outside the Papanui club in Sawyers Arms Road. Also, will there be a bus stop South City?

    Jill Macdonald asked about 2 years ago

    The review on routes 17 and 28 is almost completed. We are yet to come to a final decision about what changes will be implemented. As this portion of the routes will likely be the same as the present route the present the bus stops will likely remain as well.

  • Airport stop: I've already put in my submission but missed the fact that the 125 route will no longer go into the airport proper. The 125 is the bus I catch to the airport, and I usually have only carry-on luggage, but on the occasions when I have a bike box or suitcase, this would be a real pain. Will the new Port to Port route be able to take me from the Antarctic Centre to the terminal without a long wait (who likes rushing to catch a flight!)? Or can there be luggage trolleys at the Antarctic Centre? I also catch the 125 from Harewood/Bishopdale to Avonhead, Hornby, and Halswell, so appreciate the current route is slow now that it includes the airport terminal stop (unlike when it was first created). Thanks

    Fi Bennetts asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you. Your comments are recorded. The proposed Port to Port route could pick you up outside the Antarctic Centre and it is planned to go into the airport terminal. With 15 min frequency I would expect it would not be a long Transfer wait. Regarding luggage trolleys - this is a great suggestion but needs to be made to the airport. Lets first see what is implemented from these proposals. 

  • Hi, will the new route from Northwood to Huntsbury still have bus stops on Highsted Road?

    Karen asked over 2 years ago

    Yes, Highsted Rd will still be serviced as it is now. The streets the bus will travel around between the Bus Interchange and Northwood  are not expected to change.

  • Prior to the earthquakes you could get on the #28 bus at Lyttelton stops other than Norwich Quay. Will the new timetable enable residents to get on the bus on Winchester St and Oxford St so everyone does not have to walk down to Norwich Quay?

    Steph asked over 2 years ago

    You are able to board at the present bus stops on Winchester St and Oxford St and this would not change. If you do get on on any stop around this loop you would then need to get off at the Norwich Quay stop and transfer to the bus that is leaving first. Your transfer is free and this may be a short wait.

  • Why can't I fill the form in. I live in Governors Bay and want to request an extension of the Rapaki service

    JDG asked over 2 years ago

    The submissions are open to everyone. You will find on the on line form that Governors Bay comes up as a suburb. Go to the "Have Your Say" tab. Thank you

  • Am I correct when looking at the map- does the new proposed route for the 17 bus from Huntsbury still go the interchange but then not continue on its existing route?, rather then going towards Northland? My concern is all high school students in my area-Rangi, St Margarets, St Andrews and CGHS usually take the 17 and remain on it until a stop nearest their school. The new proposal means a change at the interchange.

    Andrea asked over 2 years ago

    The proposed route for the Northwood to Huntsbury would go up Colombo St and Cranford St to Northlands Mall. These school students would need to transfer at the Bus Interchange onto a bus that goes to their schools either the new Port to Port for Rossall St, route 1 for Papanui Rd or route 29 for CGHS. With the increased frequency the wait should be minimal and transfers are free.

  • I can't find an online version of the submission form - where can I find it? I don't have a printer and the pdf version is not editable.

    Steph asked over 2 years ago

    If you go to the tab's you will see beside this "Questions" tab there is the "Have Your Say" tab. Click into this and you will find the submission form that you can complete.

    Thank you for your participation

  • With the proposed changes to the #28 route, will the express bus stop before it gets to The Exchange say at Ara? Not everyone works in the central city. W

    Steph asked over 2 years ago

    At present the express does not stop on route but can choose the fastest route into the CBD. This is the wording on the website.

    EXPRESS

    This trip does not pick up passengers after the last stop on Norwich Quay(Lyttelton) and will not drop passengers off before the Bus Interchange.

  • Does this port to port route go past the christchurch hospital, I think looking on the map it goes behind it, would it stop near the hospital?

    karen badger asked over 2 years ago

    North of the Bus Interchange the proposed Port to Port route follows the present 17 route, along Hereford St, onto Rossall St and Wairakei Rd

  • I work at Christchurch hospital with start time 6:45am, there is no way I can catch a bus to the hospital on the No28 route now as it gets there too late, is it possible to make the no 28 bus route early enough to be able to get to the hospital at 6:30pm, also if going to airport often flights are early and it would be good if you could catch the bus at 5am to get to the airport on time.

    karen badger asked over 2 years ago

    These are great questions and I will pass them onto the people who make decisions on times and schedules. Thank you

Page last updated: 05 Sep 2023, 12:12 PM