How to Take a Bus in Auckland

Bus riding etiquette is a little bit different in every country you go to. I was working on a post about public transport in Auckland when I thought that it might be good to tell you how it’s done here. We’re really not big on rules in New Zealand society so you’re not likely to make any major mistakes. But just so you feel comfortable about using Auckland buses, here is the protocol.

1. Find the correct stop.

- Get a timetable/ routemap from Britomart station or check online.

2. Wait at the stop and put your hand out to signal the driver when you see your bus coming.

-Numbers are clearly visible on the front.

3. Queue up to get on.

- If there are only a couple of you waiting, it is polite to let the first person who arrived go first, but there is no strict ‘I was here first, then you, then you’ type rules (such as in the U.K., for example). You just queue up when the bus is coming and you’ll find that people are generally courteous.

4. Tell the driver where you want to go and ask how much.

-Put your money in the tray and wait for your ticket to be printed. You tear it off yourself. Don’t forget to pick up any change owed to you.

-Like most public transport operators around the world, our drivers are none too pleased if you show up with a big denomination bill so try to get some change beforehand.

- There are no return (round trip) tickets. You just buy a ticket each time you get on.

-Paper daypasses are shown to the driver, and with a cardpass you insert it into the machine yourself and wait for the ‘pop’. Then take it out and say ‘thanks’ to be on your merry way to a seat.

5. Hit the button before the stop you want and a shout of ‘thanks driver’ is much appreciated as you step off into the wilds of Auckland.

Watch for an upcoming post about Auckland public transport in general.

Auckland bus image by bugtiger on Flickr.com