Ritchies Transport believes doubling services on its Queenstown to Wanaka route will be a shot in the arm for operators and local residents.
Ritchies Tours and SkyDrive director Pete Simpkin said the service, to be operated as part of SkyDrive Express, would run four times a day — the first trip leaving Wanaka at 7.45am, travelling via Cromwell, to arrive in Queenstown at 10am, while the three remaining Wanaka-Queenstown trips, leaving at 11am, 2pm and 4.15pm, all went over the Crown Range.
Queenstown-Wanaka trips departed at 9am, 11am, 2.30pm, and 4.40pm, the latter travelling via Cromwell, to arrive in Wanaka at 7pm.
All trips included Queenstown Airport, to provide a much-needed extra link for arriving and departing
passengers.
"Best of all, the extended timetable means Queenstown locals and visitors can travel to Wanaka, spend a full day enjoying everything on offer and return the same evening," Mr Simpkin said.
"And of course, the reverse journey is also available, giving Wanaka locals the option of a great day out in Queenstown.
"This has been challenging for visitors until now and we believe it will help boost the economy in both centres."
He said Ritchies had plans to introduce more SkyDrive services into the regions to boost local economies and connect communities to domestic and regional flights "as and when the opportunities arise".
"While we are a large national operator, we recognise the value of a local service using local drivers with sound local knowledge, supporting the local business community."
