[2][3][note 1] Bus fares in both cities are paid for by cash or by the electronic ticketing system Bee Card.

[6] Bee cards were introduced to Otago buses in September 2020,[7] and to Queenstown Ferries in 26 October 2022[8] following other regional councils who agreed to use it.

The regional council intends to introduce a new brand Orbus to the network[14] Safety standards are regulated by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).

[17] Citibus would go on to be privatised in 2011, after Dunedin City Council voted to sell it, with the mayor at the time summarising by saying that it was "hemorrhaging money".

Reintroduction of rail services is suggested from time to time[20] NZR, through its Road Services division, from 1985 known as Cityline, also operated motor buses to the suburbs of Warrington, Cherry Farm, Brighton, Outram and Mosgiel until Cityline was privatised in 1991 – the Dunedin fleet was sold to Newtons Coachways.

From the late 1980s onwards, Cesta Travel (later called Southeastern) and Dunedin Passenger Transport operated a wide range of routes on various short-term contracts.

[22] Earlier in July 2022, the Dunedin City Council had explored selling the Princes Street bus depot to enable Kāinga Ora to develop housing.

In response, Dunedin Tramways Union branch president Alan Savell had defended retaining the bus depot at Princes Street.

[23] In late July 2024, the Otago Daily Times reported that Kāinga Ora had abandoned plans to build an 80-100 room apartment block on the site of the Princes Street bus depot after discovering it sat on contaminated ground.

[24] In early February 2024, Ritchies introduced 11 Yutong E10 battery electric buses to its fleet in Dunedin, which were originally planned to enter service in October 2023.

Prior to this, for the month of October in 2021 Otago Regional Council trialled an electric bus in Dunedin, to test its abilities on steep terrain and on the motorway.