Improving public transport for Selwyn

Better bus services for Rolleston to City

We’ve heard from people in Selwyn that Rolleston needs better bus options.

Since 1 September 2025, Metro and Bentley Coachlines have been operating direct buses along two new routes, 84 Rolleston Direct West and 85 Rolleston Direct East. These combined services are running as a six-month trial.

A new approach for public transport

Environment Canterbury delivers Metro public transport services in Greater Christchurch in partnership with local councils, bus and ferry operators and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Earlier this year, Council adopted the Annual Plan 2025/26 and approved a ratepayer-funded trial to improve Route 85 (Rolleston–Christchurch).

In June 2025, Bentley Coachlines proposed a new commercial commuter service—and it’s a great opportunity to try something new and innovative. We paused work on investigating Metro Route 85 improvements and collaborated on a coordinated timetable between Metro and Bentley services. As a private operator, Bentley Coachlines is not subsidised and does not rely on ratepayer funding.

Share your experience

This is a new hybrid approach to delivering transport options for Rolleston commuters, and we want your feedback!

🚌 Share your experience using Metro and Bentley services anytime

Better bus services for Rolleston to City

We’ve heard from people in Selwyn that Rolleston needs better bus options.

Since 1 September 2025, Metro and Bentley Coachlines have been operating direct buses along two new routes, 84 Rolleston Direct West and 85 Rolleston Direct East. These combined services are running as a six-month trial.

A new approach for public transport

Environment Canterbury delivers Metro public transport services in Greater Christchurch in partnership with local councils, bus and ferry operators and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Earlier this year, Council adopted the Annual Plan 2025/26 and approved a ratepayer-funded trial to improve Route 85 (Rolleston–Christchurch).

In June 2025, Bentley Coachlines proposed a new commercial commuter service—and it’s a great opportunity to try something new and innovative. We paused work on investigating Metro Route 85 improvements and collaborated on a coordinated timetable between Metro and Bentley services. As a private operator, Bentley Coachlines is not subsidised and does not rely on ratepayer funding.

Share your experience

This is a new hybrid approach to delivering transport options for Rolleston commuters, and we want your feedback!

🚌 Share your experience using Metro and Bentley services anytime

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  • Would be great to have an extra bus in the morning and one at 5.30pm for those who finish after 5pm. The morning bus is so full many are standing which is not a great ride to the city. Especially now with fuel prices more people are catching the bus but also school kids are too so maybe a separate school bus for them.

    T3ZNU asked 9 days ago

    Kia ora, 

    Thank you for submitting feedback about your experience - we have noted down your suggestions. 

    Ngā mihi, 

    The Metro Team

  • Hi there. I use the direct service a couple times a week and it is excellent. I really do hope the trial becomes permanent. It would also be great for the hours to be extended on key nights of the week (e.g Thursday or Friday), even if it were only run hourly.

    Happybusser asked 12 days ago

    Kia ora, 

    Thanks for being a regular user of the services as part of the trial, it's great to hear you've been enjoying it! 

    We really appreciate the feedback you've submitted on the schedule and have taken note. 

    Ngā mihi, 

    The Metro Team

  • These busses have been great although it would be helpful if the busses from the City to Rolleston continued until a bit later. I regularly work until 5.30pm leaving me to take the significantly slower 5 or 5x bus

    ZT asked 18 days ago

    Kia ora,

    Thank you for submitting feedback about your experience - we have noted down your suggestion.

    Ngā mihi, 

    The Metro Team

  • Could there be buses after 9.00am in morning for gold card with mobility issues to get to the hospital.

    Michelle Patterson asked 27 days ago

    Kia ora Michelle,

    Thank you for reaching out with this - we have noted this down. We really appreciate the input!

    Ngā mihi, 

    The Metro Team

  • Could there be a Metro bus after 8.00am from Braithwaite for gold card uses with mobility issues.

    Michelle Patterson asked 27 days ago

    Kia ora Michelle,

    Thanks for contacting us with this feedback; we have taken note.

    Ngā mihi,
    The Metro Team

  • Hi Team, Just a special word of THANKS, you have changed my life since Bus Route 85B was introduced from Rolleston to the City!!!!

    Quentin asked about 1 month ago

    Kia ora Quentin, 

    Thank you so much for sharing this positive news with us - so great to hear!

    Ngā mihi, 

    The Metro Team

  • Please extend the bus service to Levi Park residents

    Caroline Burnett asked about 1 month ago

    Kia ora Caroline,

    Thank you for contacting us with this suggestion; we have noted this down.

    Ngā mihi,

    The Metro Team

  • I really appreciate the new options of service it has helped a lot of residents. It would be great to see a 6.00am bus to fit in with work start times in the city. Also a 5.30pm and 6.00pm trip home. It gives more options for those that don't finish work at 5.00pm and depending on where you work in the city and getting to the exchange in time. Thank you

    Shaz asked about 1 month ago

    Kia ora Shaz,

    Thank you for submitting this feedback. 
    We have noted down your suggestions.

    Ngā mihi, 
    The Metro Team

  • Need faster connection from Lincoln end of Rolleston..40 mins to Kidman on bus is too long - need an hourly express that goes straight from Lincoln to Rolleston stopping at say 3 stops only.

    Newtobussing asked about 2 months ago

    Kia ora,


    Thanks so much for sharing feedback! We have made note of this suggestion.

    Ngā mihi, 

    The Metro Team

  • Just as a feedback for adding more frequent Buses no. 85 East (Rolleston to City Direct and Vice-versa). Right now it is around 50 min gap which seems to be quite long.

    abc asked about 2 months ago

    Kia ora,

    Thank you for giving us feedback on this, we appreciate it! 

    We have noted this down.

    Ngā mihi, 

    The Metro Team

Page last updated: 10 Mar 2026, 08:33 AM