Eastern Bay people planning to take an Intercity bus to Rotorua will be out of luck until Waioweka Gorge reopens.

Intercity has cancelled the Rotorua to Gisborne section of its Auckland to Gisborne service because of the gorge closure.

People who had planned bus trips to Rotorua must now find alternative transport until further notice.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Bay Hopper bus service has routes between Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne and between Whakatāne and Tauranga. From Tauranga, Intercity buses travel to Rotorua.

An Intercity spokesperson said because of the slips, the company had temporarily adjusted its services and was operating coaches between Auckland and Rotorua, only.

It was, however, maintaining a connection between Rotorua and Gisborne via Taupō.

“Supporting our customers is a key priority and to ensure we maintain a connection to Gisborne while State Highway 2 remains closed, we’re operating alternative services via Taupō on a limited schedule.

“We’ll continue to monitor updates from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and will reinstate services through Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki as soon as it’s safe and practical to do so,” the spokesperson said.