Connectabus launches Wanaka service

Workable connections between Queenstown and Wanaka, particularly for those travelling to and from Queenstown Airport, is the drive behind a new bus service that gets underway from Wednesday, July 11.
Connectabus marketing manager Morgan McCammon says there is increasing demand for people wanting to be able to easily travel between the resort towns.

“TRENZ this year highlighted the issue for us with many travel trade industry people requesting better links between the towns and the skifields. A good, frequent Wanaka-Queenstown service is critical to the development of strong transport links throughout the Southern Lakes,” he said.

The new service would start with four trips a day, the first one leaving Wanaka at 7.15am and the final trip leaving Queenstown at 4.30pm with the driver based in Wanaka.

“We will build on the timetable as demand requires. While the service will ultimately provide for visitors and local people with frequent services, in this first stage we’re looking to provide easy access to Wanaka to and from Queenstown airport. Over time, we will develop a sightseeing service that will allow people to spend a full day in either town before returning to the other. We will be looking to link attractions and make it easy for people to move throughout the district.”

The company has had a very positive response to the service from Wanaka businesses and is seeking support from the Wanaka community.

“We will certainly need accommodation properties in Wanaka to promote this service to their guests. Ultimately, the more people using the service, the better and more frequent it will become. We will continue to be proactive in finding out what the communities and their visitors need as we structure a service of the future.”

A 23 seater coach will initially provide the service.