Bentley Coachlines is developing a proposal for a new commuter bus service between Rolleston and Christchurch Central, and is inviting the public to help shape the potential trial.

The move comes amid growing frustration from commuters dealing with long travel times, limited public transport coverage in Rolleston’s expanding suburbs, and the increasing strain of traffic congestion.

Currently, Rolleston is served by two main public bus routes. The Route 85 express service operates on weekdays and connects Rolleston to Christchurch Hospital, the Bus Interchange, and Ara Institute, but it does not run on weekends or public holidays.

Route 5 offers a more frequent, seven-day connection between Rolleston and New Brighton, travelling through Templeton, Hornby, Riccarton, and central Christchurch. While both routes are part of Metro’s network, Bentley Coachlines said feedback suggests they are not meeting the full needs of the community.

Manager Liam Bentley said his team launched a short community survey to explore a privately run alternative and received more than 300 submissions in the first 48 hours.

“We’re committed to designing a service that reflects what the community wants,” Bentley said. “The feedback so far has been invaluable, and we’re encouraging more people to share their views before the survey closes on Sunday 8 June.”

Respondents are calling for earlier and later services to accommodate shift workers and hospital staff, as well as improved access in areas not currently covered by Metro services. Many have also expressed interest in bike racks and e-scooter storage on board to support active travel options.

Bentley said the proposed service would be privately funded, not reliant on ratepayer support, and able to scale quickly based on demand. That includes the ability to increase capacity or frequency without delay.

The company also sees an opportunity to offer event transport in future, including services for the new Te Kaha Stadium once complete.

Under the Land Transport Management Act, any new public transport service available to the general public must be registered with Environment Canterbury. This ensures the route aligns with the region’s transport strategy and avoids duplication of existing services.

Residents and commuters are encouraged to complete the survey at www.bentleytransport.co.nz or via the company’s Facebook page.