Yello! owner-operators Hamish Fraser and Alan Baxter saw a growing need for a timetabled bus service in Wanaka, particularly during winter, based on their cab-driving observations of the most common places and times people were picked up.
There was particularly high demand for evening transport for people wanting to drink or dine in town, they said.
Throughout the winter, the company - which is also starting a daily door-to-door shuttle service to Cardrona and Treble Cone skifields - will run four bus loops during the day as well as three at night, between 6pm and 11pm, all departing from Wanaka's town centre.
For a $5 fare, the buses will carry passengers along routes to Cardrona Valley Rd, Mt Aspiring Rd, Albert Town and Hunter Cres, with multiple stops along the way.
"There's a lot of people who come to Wanaka over winter, working or skiing, that don't have transport," Mr Fraser said.
"That's why we're trialling it at the ski season which isobviously the busiest time of the year for Wanaka."
Yello!'s fleet of vehicles has been expanded to cater for the new services, with a 19-seat bus and a 29-seat bus already added, and two more in the pipeline.
The men had received strong support from local hotel operators, who were pleased there would be an affordable transport option to offer their guests.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council had also supported the establishment of the service, although the trial would be entirely funded by Yello!, they said.
"It would be nice to think the community as a whole will get behind this because it would stop people drink-driving as well," Mr Fraser said.
Depending on demand, the men hoped to continue running the service in summer, and would look at adding a workers' bus from Hawea and a regular route to attractions such as Puzzling World and activities at and near the Wanaka Airport.
Wanaka Community Board chairman Lyal Cocks said in a report to the board last week, "I believe this service would be good for Wanaka, and encourage people to support it".
The bus service will operate from June 21.
