Cr Aaron Hawkins is calling for a bus route between the Dunedin Airport and the city. Photo: Gregor Richardson

The regional council should commit to providing an airport bus service for Dunedin, a city councillor says.

The Otago Regional Council has said in its long-term plan it would undertake a feasibility study for a bus between the city and Dunedin Airport.

At a hearing for the plan in the city yesterday, Dunedin City councillor Aaron Hawkins urged them to go "one step further" and actually commit to the service.

Aaron Hawkins

"Don't be scared of trying and failing. All serious and successful cities have one. It would be a huge addition to the city."

However, this should not be funded through money intended for Dunedin's commuter bus service, he said.

The money should come from general rates or reserves, as it would benefit the whole region, he said.

Cr Hawkins also mirrored earlier comments by city councillor Chris Staynes, on behalf of the Dunedin City Council, encouraging a joint governance group on buses between the councils.

The city council received a high level of correspondence about bus services, which it did not operate, Cr Staynes said.