Patronage on Queenstown's $2 bus service has ''probably exceeded expectations'' in its first two months, its operator says.
Ritchies director Andrew Ritchie said the feedback he had received from the network's backers indicated they were ''very pleased with how it's tracking''.
''It was a bold decision to put such a cheap fare in, and it certainly seems to be having an impact.''
The Orbus network, which is funded by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) and the NZ Transport Agency, started running on November 20.
ORC support services manager Gerard Collings said a major review of the network was about two months away, but passenger numbers were ''really positive''.
''We're mindful that the community has been really supportive, and have been patient with some of the teething issues we've had.''
Mr Ritchie said the company needed to recruit ''four or five'' more permanent drivers for the service.
It was forced to bring in 14 staff from its other operations around the country - paying for their accommodation - to get the service up and running.
''We're getting there. It's a slow process. We're having another recruitment drive at the moment.
''There's a few people waiting on immigration clearances, which is a big deal in Queenstown.''
