Getting between Rolleston and Christchurch just became easier, with a new trial doubling the number of weekday bus services.

Metro and Bentley Coachlines have joined forces to expand the Rolleston Direct service, offering more seats, earlier trips and better coverage of the town’s growing suburbs.

Under the trial, buses will now run every 10 minutes through the heart of Rolleston at peak times, with 16 trips in each direction every weekday. That is four times as many as before.

The service has been split into two routes. Route 84 runs from the west of Rolleston, while Route 85 runs from the east, before merging in the town centre and continuing direct to the city. The routes are reversed for the trip home in the afternoon.

Some trips are operated by Metro and others by Bentley, with passengers asked to check which operator is running their service before travelling. Only Metro trips appear in journey planning tools, and the two operators use different payment systems.

Metro trips accept Metrocards and cash, with free transfers across the network. Bentley services cost $3.50 by contactless card or $4 by cash, and concessions and free transfers do not apply. Buses operated by Bentley are marked with a “B” on the route number, such as 84B or 85B.

The expanded network also introduces “hail and ride” sections, meaning passengers can signal to the driver from any safe, visible location rather than waiting at a formal stop.

Park-and-ride facilities are available at Foster Park and the Selwyn District Council carpark on Kidman Street.

The trial will run with public feedback collected along the way. Surveys will be held mid-way and at the end of the trial to help improve the service.