FARE UPDATE: Adult 10 Ride Concession Special $25 | Child 10 Ride Concession Special $15
Rarotonga's Public Bus System
cook islands owned | cook islands operated
Government Assisted Bus Travel Programme
​​Starting Friday 10 April 2026, for 3 months eligible residents, workers, and students can access up to 4 subsidised bus rides per day using a valid Bus Card. Students must apply online, while residents and workers can purchase a card directly from the driver. Existing card holders do not need to do anything, as the subsidy will be automatically applied to their current card. After daily subsidised rides are used, discounted fares will apply.
Visitors will also be entitled to discounted price on our 10 Ride Concession Tickets. These will now be $25 for Adults and $15 for children. These are purchased on the bus from the driver.
Our Public Bus Service offers two routes, Clockwise and Anti-Clockwise, which operate on Rarotonga's Circular Main Road, making it impossible to get lost.
The Clockwise Bus departs Cooks' Corner in the center of town (Avarua) on the hour, every hour, from 7:00 am (First Departure) to 10:00 pm (Last Departure), Monday to Saturday.
The Anti-Clockwise Bus departs Cooks' Corner in the center of town (Avarua) at half-past the hour, every hour, from 8:30 am (First Departure) to 4:30 pm (Last Departure), Monday to Friday, and from 8:30 am (First Departure) to 1:30 pm (Last Departure) on Saturdays.
Although it is hard to get lost on Rarotonga, it can be easy to lose track of operating buses. To avoid this, we recommend keeping an eye out for our Service Sign, located either at the Top of the bus (on some bus models) or at the Bottom Right Corner (as you view). We also offer a School Bus service that is usually active from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
To track operating buses in real-time, we recommend downloading and using the TransportMe Passenger App (internet required). With the app, you can keep track of the location and schedule of the buses, making it easier to plan your journey.
ABOUT US
Cooks' Island Bus Passenger Transport Ltd has a rich history that dates back to 1988 when it was known as Cook's Corner Trading Ltd. In 1989, we started our Public Transport System with a small shuttle van that ran a schedule around the island, primarily to support our Cook's Corner shopping complex in the heart of Avarua. Our first vehicle was a 15-seat Mazda E2200 van, painted white with a bold red Cook's Corner sign on each side.
As demand grew, we expanded our fleet to 10 buses, which includes not only Public Transport but also School Bus Services and Private Charter Services. We are the only operators of school services on Rarotonga and offer charter services to local schools, churches, sports groups, as well as bulk airport transfers and charters for all types of visiting groups.
It's important to note that Rarotonga's Public Bus Service is privately owned and operated by Cooks' Island Bus Passenger Transport Ltd, without subsidies or contracts from the Cook Islands Government, Village Councils, or Schools. We believe that a reliable Public Transport Service is crucial for any economy and are committed to continuing to provide this service for years to come.