Hamilton’s Meteor bus service is celebrating a major milestone after completing its one millionth passenger trip in the first week of this month.

Launched in September 2023, the Meteor is Hamilton’s third high-frequency service and now the second most popular bus service in the Waikato after the Orbiter.

The high-frequency service replaced the regular-frequency Silverdale (2) and Frankton (8) buses, which were carrying a combined weekly average of 5159 passengers at the time.

The Meteor continues to outperform the old services, averaging 12,144 passengers each week.

Waikato Regional Councillor and Deputy Chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee Angela Strange says the 135 per cent increase demonstrates demand for more frequent buses or more express routes across the city.

“The numbers confirm what people have been telling us: they will take the bus when it operates frequently enough. We hope more people will see our public transport system as a convenient transport option.”

The Meteor runs approximately every 15 minutes in both directions from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, and every 20 to 30 minutes at all other times.

Recent service improvements include two extra stops in Hillcrest and additional bus stop infrastructure in the Baverstock Road area.

To celebrate the one millionth passenger trip, BUSIT is running the Meteor 1 Million promotion from Friday 23 to Thursday 29, May 2025 on Instagram.

Passengers can enter by taking a selfie on the Meteor and posting it as an Instagram story with @busitwaikato tagged in the post.

Three pairs of Sony noise-cancelling headphones are up for grabs and passengers can enter as many times as they like with bonus entries for using the hashtag #1Million

Note: Averages taken from the Silverdale (2) and Frankton (8) services’ final 12 months (September 2022 to August 2023) and the Meteor’s most recent 12 months (May 2024 to April 2025).

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