More than 2.5million bus trips were made from June 2018 to June 2019, an increase of about 8% on the previous year.
Revenue from fares also increased by about 7% up to $5.9million.
When combined with Queenstown there were more than 4million trips made on the Otago Regional Council's Orbus network.
In a statement, regional council operations general manager Gavin Palmer said the results were a positive reflection of improvements in public transport.
Investments in the network - such as the bus hub and a simplified timetable service - made for a much more passenger-friendly network, Dr Palmer said.
As well as growing by about 8%, the number of trips was double the growth target.
"We continually monitor services in both Dunedin and Queenstown, implementing changes where we can within the wider context of each network."
A passenger satisfaction survey conducted earlier this year found an 88% overall satisfaction with the service.
Bus Users Support Group Otepoti Dunedin co-president Peter Dowden said any growth was positive but some of the increase could be due to changes to how the service ran rather than just an increased number of passengers.
"A couple of years ago you could get a bus straight to Brighton but now you have to get off at Green Island and catch another bus, so I wonder if that's part of the increase."
Timetable and reliability issues were still an issue on some routes - such as the Mosgiel service - and if that was improved then there would likely be growth across all the city's routes, Mr Dowden said.
While the bus hub had improved the public transport network, it could still be improved, he said.
"It's not as good as it could be because of things like not having enough seating and enough shelter, and not being close enough to the centre of town.
"Just because it is good doesn't mean it's perfect."
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An attempt to put a positive spin on a massive blackhole that costs each rate payer approx 10% of their rates bill. Anyone with eyes sees the empty off peak buses. Destroying carparks to force people to use buses just creates agro with car users. Vote them out!
Yet again, the tired old comment regarding empty off peak buses. Those types of ill thought out comments are echoed in any city, large or small and fail to acknowledge that an important service such as public transport needs to provide capacity for the peak times as well as coverage for off peak times in order that a decent level of service is maintained. If you were to wind down off peak services, that reduces the usefulness of the system and would have a knock on effect on peak services. Dwindling passenger numbers may then result in what you appear to desire which is that services are cut entirely. Where does that leave those who are reliant on public transport? That group includes the the young, the old, those on low incomes or those that just don't need to own a car because they have a decent bus service
If you think about the Southern Motorway, which is only busy at peak times, would you apply the same logic and suggest that it is a waste of money when there are only a handful of cars on it at 11:30? Or mult-storey car parking buildings which are practically empty for 16 hours of the day? Or even a private car sitting empty and idle 95% of the time? I suspect not.
@OtagoIdeas. Yes it is a blackhole and yes there are issues but we all need to look at how we do things because the need for us all to review our transport and other habits is growing at a rate faster than we are changing. And yes I am guilty of not adapting fast enough too as the current model doesn't suit me.
Yes George, I agree the current model does not work. It is more geared to a city of 500,000, not 135,000, but the ORC/DCC just does not get it as there is little financial restraint because they can tax us to the moon via rate increases. No company would run a bus service with a couple of adult fare equivalents (at best) when there are another 40 empty seats. The mind boggles on how incompetent the local overlords are, but then again we are paying for it. If there is virtually no demand for a bus service- why run it?
Buses are far too long for Dunedin streets and hills
That photo is of staff and councillors at an opening ceremony-not bus users waiting for a bus
The numbers are false because people have to take 2 buses where they used to take one. Let's use them though, cos they are quicker and cheaper than parking a car.
Gotta make transport trendy and inspire people to think about the environment. If that fails lap up the water and flames and collapse with the rest of the planet.