Most Wellington buses will be operating on a Saturday timetable until 27 January due to a shortage of drivers. Photo: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Bus services in Wellington city and Porirua will be heavily reduced this month due to the national driver shortage and drivers' annual leave.
Metlink said most weekday services in Wellington city and Porirua would run on Saturday timetables until 27 January.
Routes 13, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 12e, 30x and 31x would continue to operate their usual weekday schedules and after midnight services would also operate as normal on Saturday and Sunday mornings, Metlink said.
But services on routes 81 and 84 between Eastbourne and Wellington were suspended until 29 January, it said.
"Metlink has reduced bus timetables in this way to give customers certainty. Because of the national bus driver shortage, and at a time when many of us, including drivers are taking leave, the reduced schedules will help operators meet demand and minimise unplanned cancellations," Metlink said in a statement.
Since October, Metlink has temporarily suspended 180 bus trips due to the driver shortage.