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Dunedin buses have reduced capacity under Level 2 restrictions, due to the need for physical distancing.

Otago Regional Council transport manager Garry Maloney said passengers should exercise physical distancing by avoiding sitting next to other passengers and travelling outside of peak times where possible.

Interaction between drivers and passengers could be kept minimal as fares remained free.

It also meant front door entry could remain under Level 2 restrictions, which was a better experience for some mobility impaired passengers, he said.

"We are asking people to take personal responsibility for following the Government’s Alert Level 2 guidelines."

A post on the Orbus Facebook page said people should consider starting work later or earlier in order to travel outside of peak times, where possible.

Where another mode of transport was possible, such as biking or walking, that should be considered.

"Don’t travel if you don’t need to. Work from home if you can," the post said.

Mr Maloney said it was monitoring demand and working with operators to supply extra buses on busier services, as physical distancing had reduced capacity on buses by 25%.

Additional buses for school pupils were also organised for this afternoon.

Orbus was working through many queries since the alert level change and had extended its freephone to 24 hours.

"We understand this is a difficult time, and thank people for their patience and support," he said.