We’ve heard from people in Selwyn that Rolleston needs better bus options.
From 1 September, Metro and Bentley Coachlines services will operate direct buses along two new routes, 84 Rolleston Direct West and 85 Rolleston Direct East. These combined services will run 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).
In June, 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!
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Together with Bentley, we’ll review feedback regularly and run surveys mid-way through the trial and at the end to help decide what’s next.
Better bus services for Rolleston to City
We’ve heard from people in Selwyn that Rolleston needs better bus options.
From 1 September, Metro and Bentley Coachlines services will operate direct buses along two new routes, 84 Rolleston Direct West and 85 Rolleston Direct East. These combined services will run 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).
In June, 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!
Has the timetable from the City to Rolleston changed? I normally catch the Bentley 85 Monday and Wednesday at 4.40pm, but for the last week it has been the 84? Likewise, when I’ve waited to catch the Metro 85 at 5.20pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, for the last week or so, it has not arrived until 5:30-5:40pm, and a Bentley 84 has arrived at 5.20pm. This is not what is reflected in the current amended timetable on the metro website. Would be great if this could be clarified :)
T James
asked
23 days ago
Kia ora,
Thank you for reaching out. The current amended timetable on the Metro website is still correct.
There is facility/infrastructure construction currently underway in the Central City which is having an impact on the traffic flow along this route; hopefully this context has provided some clarification to any delays experienced.
Please get back in touch if you have any further questions.
Ngā mihi,
The Metro Team
The service is becoming unreliable in terms of timings with several afternoon services running significantly late. Today (16 Nov) no bus arrived between 3.45pm and 4.15pm - that’s 3 scheduled services missed. Not the first time, but probably the worst delay I’ve had so far
Jac
asked
21 days ago
Kia ora Jac,
Thank you for getting in touch and for sharing your concerns.
There is facility/infrastructure construction currently underway in the Central City which is having an impact on the traffic flow along this route - we recognise that delays such as these are not ideal.
We've noted down your feedback.
Ngā mihi,
The Metro Team
Got the 85 rolleston direct bus service on 30/10/2025,
4.55pm. Driver was Peter.
Please make sure he knows he has a super kind manner to his customer service efforts. People with his take are what makes for great customer service experiences. Also nice tp have some more direct buses out from rolly to town. :)
Mikayla
asked
16 days ago
Kia ora Mikayla,
So cool to hear this! Thank you for reaching out to let us know about your experience. We will pass this on.
Ngā mihi, The Metro Team
Please reconsider at the end of the trial bringing back the metro bus that used to depart the last stop on Kidman Street at 7:25am, or even making the bentley bus that departs this location at 7:20am, a metro one. I get a concession which I cannot currently use as the metro one that departs this location at 7:10am is too early and the 7:40am one is too late. Regarding the buses not being allowed inside the bus interchange, this works in summer because of the nice weather, however, I do not think this is going to work in winter having people waiting outside in the freezing cold wind and rain and as its arrival doesn't get announced in the interchange, we cannot wait in there.
GK
asked
25 days ago
Kia ora,
Thank you for submitting this feedback, we appreciate it! We've noted down your suggestions towards the review.
Ngā mihi, The Metro Team
It has been good to have the extra buses and has been nice not needing to consult the timetable—the next bus won't be far away. I had already highlighted to Sonia the folly of being too frequent and this has played out. I really hope that balance of patronage and buses does settle down and Bentley can make economic sense of the situation. I'd like this to continue
Midhurst
asked
30 days ago
Kia ora,
Thank you for your feedback.
We will add this as contribution towards the review.
Ngā mihi, The Metro Team
It’s disappointing that the later services have been cut - a 6pm bus from ARA back to faringdon would be helpful for those who finish later than mid afternoon.
Ella C
asked
about 1 month ago
Kia ora Ella,
Thank you for sharing on this.
Your feedback towards the trial is appreciated.
Ngā mihi,
The Metro Team
The extra services fir the Rolleston to City vice versa has been awesome! The easy payment via PayWave has worked a breeze and the extra vacated seats is always good after a long days work. Hope these services by Bentley continues or better yet Metro starts adding these much needed direct services.
HM
asked
about 1 month ago
Kia ora,
Great to hear - thank you for your support! Your feedback towards the trial is appreciated.
Ngā mihi, The Metro Team
I have really appreciated the new 84. It has shortened my commute to Ara down by about 30mins which has been massive.
I have found all the drivers to be really friendly and knowledgeable and the busses themselves are tidy and clean. Previously I was using the metro #5 in the afternoons, but they are just so packed, with people standing and squashing in. I have really enjoyed the peaceful Bentley journeys.
It is understandable that the timetable has been cut back, even if it is disappointing for the few of us that used those busses. Overall, I really hope that the Bentleys continue to run, and that more people use them, as they are a great addition to the bus system.
LivB
asked
about 1 month ago
Kia ora Liv,
Thank you for sharing your feedback and for your positivity about the 84. It’s great to hear that it has made such a noticeable difference to your commute and that you’ve had good experiences with the drivers and vehicles.
We appreciate your thoughts about the recent timetable changes too - it’s encouraging to hear how much the service is valued within the community.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated; we will add it towards the review of the trial.
Ngā mihi,
The Metro Team
When will you have the buses going down Dunscrossing Rd
Retired
asked
about 1 month ago
Kia ora,
Thank you for your question.
We will add this request as a contribution towards the review.
Ngā mihi, The Metro Team
I decided about 6weeks ago to try the more frequent buses so stopped driving to the city, have been alternating between the Broadlands Drive and the Kidman Street (1st/last stop) stops. It is really great for me at the time between 7:45 and 8am, and I have noticed over the past 3-4weeks it is graduallly getting more and more passengers (on the Bentley Bus) as more people become aware of the service. Again, the time in the evening from the cirty bus station, I tend to be at the temp stop there around 5:15-5:25pm, although initially there would only be about 2-3people on the bus, it is getting more passengers. So overall, brillaint that this service has been offered, I personally think that some more regular advertising for the additional service would be a great idea as there is most definately (in my view) a lot of people driving each day that, like me, would prefer a more stress free comute and not have to worry about parking chares in the city, etc. Thanks and hopefully the services will remain.
Roger
asked
about 1 month ago
Kia ora Roger,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the service. It’s great to hear that the options have made your commute easier and that you’re noticing more passengers making use of them.
We really appreciate your feedback and your suggestion about promotion of the service, we've noted it.
Thank you again for your support, and we’re glad to hear the changes have made such a difference to your daily travel.
Thank you for your contribution!
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