Hataitai commuters will be affected by major changes to Wellington’s bus services from July 15.

The new routes serving Hataitai will be 2, 12e, 14, 35 and 36.

Route 2 runs between Karori and Miramar every 10-15 minutes during the day and more often at peak times.
Route 12e runs every 30 minutes between Strathmore Park and Wellington CBD, only in peak times.
Route 14 runs between Wilton and Hataitai every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes at peak.
Route 35 is a morning peak time only route between Hataitai and Wellington CBD, running every 30 minutes.
Route 36 is a peak time only route between Lyall Bay and Wellington CBD, running every 20 minutes.

The most significant change will be to the No 14 service, which currently runs to and from Wilton. This route will no longer continue to Kilbirnie/Rongotai but terminate in Hataitai Village. No 14 passengers wishing to travel to Kilbirnie will need to transfer at Hataitai village. Passengers can transfer to route 2.

The No 20 Mt Victoria bus route is also up for radical change. It will no longer run to Highbury through the city but begin and end at bus hubs in Courtenay Place and Kilbirnie. The new No 20 bus route will travel via Mt Victoria summit and Alexandra Road past the SPCA to and from Kilbirnie. Smaller buses than today will be used to fit better on the hill’s narrow winding streets. The No 20 bus will run hourly throughout the day, except at peak times where it will run half hourly.

The current No 5 Hataitai peak service will be replaced by bus route 35, starting from Hataitai and ending at Wellington Station. It will loop round Arawa Road and Waipapa Road before heading through the tunnel to the central city.

Bus route 24 will run between Miramar and Johnsonville via Maupuia, Kilbirnie, Evans Bay, Oriental Bay, Wellington CBD, Khandallah East and Broadmeadows. Bus route 24 brings new direct trips to these northern suburbs. Route 24 will run hourly during the day, increasing to every ten minutes at peak times.

The Metlink website says it won’t cost any more if you need to change buses to complete your journey – provided you use your Snapper card and catch your connecting bus within 30 minutes.

However, there will be a general three per cent fare increase from mid-July. This will help offset the cost of other fare changes, including new discounts for students, people with disabilities, and adults travelling during the off-peak periods. There hasn’t been a fare increase for over five years.

More information on the changes for Hataitai residents can be found on the Metlink website.