Tawa and Porirua Bus Service Review
Metlink is reviewing bus routes in the Tawa and Porirua area to make your services more efficient and effective.
We have listened to public feedback and are looking to make practical changes to the network by removing very low use services and enhancing services that focus on better coverage and connection.
The changes outlined here are the result of multiple community engagement and feedback sessions held locally, both in person and online. This includes formal consultation through the Regional Public Transport Plan, which was adopted in June 2025. As we look to improve our services, we want to better understand how these changes might affect your travel.
How did we engage with the community?
We wanted to hear from the communities who rely on these Porirua and Tawa bus services.
We shared information about the proposed changes for each service and invited the community via mail drop, posters and social posts, to join us at one of our information sessions to learn and feedback on the proposed changed and how we’ll support any transition.
We allowed submissions of any feedback or questions through the feedback form at the bottom of this page, which has since closed.
Where were the information sessions?
In May 2026 we held 14 information sessions in the Porirua area across the following locations:
Tawa Community Centre
Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library
Linden Community Centre
Cannons Creek Library
Porirua City Centre Library
Titahi Bay Library
Whitby Library
Johnsonville Library
Churton Park Community Centre
Proposed changes
These are the changes we have suggested based on community feedback received and service use data.
Current service
The Route N6 runs the following after-midnight services:
Saturday mornings:
- Departing Porirua at 12:40am and travelling to Whitby.
- Departing from Courtenay Place and travelling to Plimmerton at 1:00am, 2:00am, and 3:00am.
Proposed service change
Under the proposed changes, Route N6 will be completely removed due to very low usage. There will be no direct replacement bus service available.
Alternative services
Customers will need to use Kāpiti Line train services instead.
Kāpiti Line train after-midnight services
Saturday mornings:
- Departing Wellington at 12.14am and 1.14am, travelling to Waikanae.
Sunday mornings:
- Departing Wellington 12.14am and 1.14am, travelling to Waikanae.
Proposed service change
Under the proposed changes, Route 19e will be reinstated. This service was previously suspended in July 2021 due to driver shortages.
Current services
The Route 59 runs as a 'hail and ride' bus service, travelling between Grenada North and Greenacres via Tawa.
- Monday to Friday, running hourly between 7.15am and 6.10pm.
The Route 402 is a school bus service. It runs once daily in the afternoons Monday to Friday, serving the following schools:
- Redwood School
- Francis Xavier School
- Tawa School
- Tawa Intermediate
Proposed service change
Under the proposed changes, the Route 59 and Route 402 will be merged into one service. The Route 59 will have travel time adjustments to serve schools in the area at a similar time.
Current service
The Route 60e currently runs the following services:
Monday to Friday departing Porirua:
- 4 morning services departing Porirua and travelling to Courtenay Place (via Tawa and Johnsonville).
- 1 morning service departing Porirua and travelling to St Patrick’s College Kilbirnie (via Tawa, Johnsonville and Wellington City).
Monday to Friday departing Wellington:
- 2 morning services departing Courtenay Place and travelling to Whitireia Polytechnic (via Johnsonville, Tawa and Porirua).
- 1 afternoon service departing St Patrick's College Kilbirnie
- 3 evening services departing Courtenay Place and travelling to Whitireia Polytechnic (via Johnsonville, Tawa and Porirua).
Proposed service change
Under the proposed changes, Route 60e will be completely removed.
Alternative services
Customers will need to use alternative services instead.
Route 60 Porirua - Tawa - Johnsonville
- The Route 60 travels the same route as the current Route 60e, except it departs and terminates at Johnsonville (doesn't travel to Wellington).
Route 1 Johnsonville West - Churton Park - Grenada Village -Island Bay
- The Route 1 travels between Johnsonville and Island Bay (via Wellington City).
- Some services travel to Grenada Village, Johnsonville West and Churton Park.
- Customers can transfer between the Route 60 and Route 1 at Johnsonville if they need to travel further north or south.
Current service
- The Route 210 is a standard bus route with a 30 minute frequency travelling between Porirua and Titahi Bay only.
- The Route 220 is a core bus route with a 15 minute frequency travelling between Ascot Park and Titahi Bay via Porirua.
Proposed service change
Under the proposed changes, the Route 210 and Route 220 will be merged into one service, with two variations at the Titahi Bay end.
- Customers of the 210 will be able to travel across much more of Porirua without having to transfer.
- Customers of the 220 will have a slightly lower frequency from 15 minutes to 20 minutes.
Current service
The Route 226 runs a loop service starting and ending in Cannons Creek, travelling via Rānui, Porirua, Elsdon and Takapūwāhia.
- Monday to Friday, running every 30 minutes between 5.58am and 8.12pm.
Proposed service change
- Services will run seven days a week.
- Services will run later into the evening.
- Extension to Kenepuru via Raiha Street (provide direct access to Kenepuru Hospital and Te Korowai Whāriki).
Current service
The Route 230 runs between Whitby and Porirua, travelling via Ascot Park and Aotea.
- Seven days a week, running every 30 minutes between 6.12am and 9.45pm.
Proposed service change
- Reduce off peak frequency from every 30 minutes to hourly.
- Withdraw evening services after 9pm due to low usage.
Current service
The Route 300 travels between Titahi Bay and Whenua Tapu Cemetery for one service on the last Sunday of every month, including public holidays.
Proposed service change
Under the proposed changes, Route 300 will be completely removed due to very low usage.
Timeline of process
These service updates will be included in the next generation of public transport contracts, which will be out for public tender in May 2026.
Last published: Monday, 6 July 2026 at 11:43 am