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Waikato Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP)

Waikato Regional Council is responsible for the planning, management and provision of public transport in the region. The RPTP sets out the priorities and needs of public transport services and infrastructure.

Read the RPTP

Public transport rate changes in 2025/26

We wanted to ensure the way we collect rates for these services is as fair, simple and efficient as possible.

Through our Annual Plan 2025/26 consultation in April, we proposed a rating model that acknowledged different levels of access to a range of community and public transport services throughout the region.

The new rating model does not impact the total amount of rates collected across the region for public transport. So, while it may result in some households paying slightly more, others should pay slightly less.

Learn more on the change, including what you’ll pay based on where you live

Public transport schemes and services

Select a topic below to learn more about our regional transport service options and how they can work for you.  

Bus services

Waikato Regional Council is responsible for contracting and providing bus services in Hamilton city and for some of the region's communities. You can find information on timetables and our bus services on the BUSIT website.

Passenger rail

Waikato Regional Council is responsible for the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service, Te Huia, which began in 2021. You can find information on train timetables and services on the Te Huia website.

Total Mobility

Total Mobility is a door to door national transport scheme involving disability support agencies, taxi companies and local government. The scheme is designed to increase the mobility of people with disabilities, to allow equitable access to the community. Find out more on the Total Mobility website.

Community Transport

Community transport is typically volunteer-led and funded by koha (donations), with an aim to improve accessibility and mobility for residents, particularly in rural areas. These services can provide essential transport for health and social purposes, although availability and types of transport may vary by location. Discover more about community transport options on the Waikato Community Transport website.

Some notes about fares and concessions

  • Public transport fares in Waikato region use a standardized zone system - simply pay for the zones you travel through. The best fares are available with a Bee Card.
  • If you're eligible for a concession, please apply prior to travel. You can read more about concessions on the BUSIT and Te Huia websites.

National Ticketing Solution | Motu Move

Motu Move is a new national ticketing and payment system that will provide easy, consistent ways to pay for buses, trains and ferries across the country. It will bring the option to pay by contactless debit or credit cards, smartphones and watches, or a prepaid Motu Move card. By making payments easier, it will encourage more people to use public transport more often. 

For more updates, please find the latest information on the Motu Move website.

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Public transport performance monitoring reports

Public transport service operator forms

Service registration and service change notification

If you are operating any type of passenger transport operation either in, or passing through the Waikato region, you must register your service with Waikato Regional Council.  You will also need to advise of any changes to a registered service including the intention to withdraw it.

The application or notification must be received no less than 15 days before the service starts or the change occurs.  There is no cost to register or notify changes to a service.

The relevant forms are available, below.