SET RATES

You can easily find our rates which are set out for the various sections of the journey. We will always charge the same fare for the same journey as long as minimum bookings thresholds are met.

REGULARS RATES

For regular bookings we have discounted weekly or 5 trip rates which are discounted 20%. Passengers committing to use the service at least 3 days a week long term are offered a 40% discounted daily rate.

GROUP OPTIONS

Group and family discounts are available on off peak services where 3 or more people are travelling together, and their pick up and drop off points are the same. Contact us for a quote.

RELIABLE TIMETABLE

The route is the same each day and you can rely on this as you plan your day. We can make small adjustments to the times specified to meet the needs of booked passengers.

BOOKING FLEXIBILITY

You can be picked up and dropped off at different stops depending on your personal requirements. We can usually service destinations in Christchurch not specified on the timetable on request.

BENEFITS FOR TRAVELLERS

Catch up on sleep, get the morning paper read, or last minute work done without having to worry about the driving. A great opportunity for students to study.

Operation of Scheduled Services

While we aim to run two return services a day Monday to Friday excluding public holidays, we do not operate services for which there are no booked passengers. Please see the upcoming services page under Latest News above for details of upcoming services confirmed as operating, and the availability of seats on them. Passengers travelling as individuals are requested to book on services which are already confirmed as operating if their travel does not need to be on a specific day, or to book as far in advance as possible so other individual passengers can book on the same service. It will not be viable for us to continue offering the service long term without raising fares if we are frequently operating it for one passenger.

Weekend and Public Holiday Services

We do not operate any Sunday morning services. We operate a Sunday evening service during school terms departing Ashburton at 4.30 pm, Methven at 5.15 pm  and arriving in Christchurch at approximately 6.30 pm, then departing Christchurch for Ashburton at approximately 7.00 pm. The Methven to Christchurch leg is primarily for school students, and limited seats are available to other passengers. The other legs are open to all passengers. We can usually operate a service on Saturdays and public holidays on request for groups of 3 or more. We are able to be more flexible with times and destinations, and are able to go to most South Island destinations. Rates will depend on whether passengers want a private hire or a service open to the public, and will generally be slightly higher than the regular rates. Please contact us well in advance if you are wanting to travel on a Saturday or public holiday service. Any services operating that are open to the public will be listed in the upcoming services under Latest News above.

Services Between Christchurch Airport and Ashburton & Methven

We operate a Monday to Friday service stopping at Christchurch airport at approximately 9.30 am and 4.00 pm. There may be some flexibility in the times depending on other bookings. We also operate a service on Sunday evenings during the school term at 7.00 pm.

The morning services depart from Ashburton only, and can return to both Ashburton & Methven. We are not able to operate services departing Ashburton before 6.25 am on weekdays.

The  afternoon services can pick up passengers in both Ashburton & Methven, and returns to Ashburton only, except for the Friday service which also goes to Methven.

The Sunday service has limited availability of seats from Ashburton & Methven, and returns to Ashburton only.

We are usually able to run airport services on Saturdays and public holidays, however a minimum charge applies, so these will usually only be cost effective for groups of 3 or more. For individual passengers, Saturday and public holiday services which are confirmed as operating will be listed in upcoming services under latest news above.

Stopping Locations

1. Tinwald, Wilkin St opposite Café Time
2. Tinwald, Melcombe St, New Life Church carpark.
3. Ashburton, East St, south of Havelock St. (old I site)
4. Ashburton Hospital, Elizabeth St opposite hospital entrance
5. Allenton, west side of Allens Road opposite St David’s Church
6. Rakaia, west side of SH1 near Mobil station
7. Dunsandel west side of SH1.
8. Lincoln University bus station
9. ARA Institute, Madras St
10. St Asaph’s St near Colombo St
11. Christchurch Hospital outside new outpatients clinic
12. Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Ave near Christ’s College
13. Papanui Rd near Selwyn House
14. Papanui Rd near Merivale Mall
15. Papanui Rd near St. Andrews College
16. Canterbury University east side of Ilam Road*
17. The Hub Hornby, Chalmers St
18. Christchurch Airport 
19. Templeton east side of SH1 near Trent’s Road
20. Rolleston east side of Kidman St**
21. Dunsandel east side of SH1.
22. Rakaia, bus shelter opposite Mobil station
23. Rolleston west side of Kidman St**
24. Templeton west side of SH1 near Trent’s Road
25. Canterbury University west side of Ilam Road*
26. ARA Institute, Morehouse Ave
27. Burnham, east side of SH1 near Burnham Rd
28. Allenton, east side of Allens Road near St David’s Church
29. Ashburton Hospital, Oak Grove near carpark
30. Rural stops around Ashburton by arrangement

Within Ashburton & Tinwald we will pick up drop-off anywhere for off-peak services. Within Christchurch we will pick up and drop off at other designated bus stops on or near the route on request (except the new hospital super stop and the bus exchange).

The route between Papanui Road and Canterbury University* will be adjusted according to bookings, and may be via Fendalton Rd, Kilmarnock St or Riccarton Rd. Services will usually  terminate at either Hornby Hub or the airport, but not service both.

In Rolleston** we can stop at the shopping centre instead of Kidman St.

Download Route Descriptions

Parking Notes

For day parking at Ashburton New Life Church, please proceed down the driveway and park behind the church building in spaces on the northern side of the carpark away from the boxing academy and church office entrance. You will be picked up in this area if you use the park and ride option.

For day parking at St David’s Church there is a limit of 4 vehicles. Please park as far from the road as possible and not in front of the entrance. Pick up will be on Allens Road near the entrance to the carpark.

The park and ride service is provided for enhanced security for your vehicle during the day, however neither Mid Canterbury Shuttle Service nor the parking providers accepts responsibility for any loss or damage. Park and ride fees are passed on directly to the providers.

Luggage

Passengers may carry small items like school bags, briefcases or laptop bags with them on board. There is limited space for larger items, so please check with us if we can take your luggage before booking or using the service. We cannot carry luggage in the passenger area due to safety regulations. We are able to carry larger amounts of luggage with 48 hours’ notice, and will usually not charge to carry extra luggage if this notice is given unless there are low passenger numbers on the service. We can carry ski bags up to 1.8 m in length, but cannot currently carry bicycles.

Payment Options

All travel requires payment in advance in the case of weekly and monthly or term rates or on boarding the vehicle for single journeys. EFTPOS facilities are available on board the vehicle. Credit cards are not accepted on board. A limited amount of change is carried. Our website will shortly have credit card payment facilities available. A 3% surcharge will apply.