Cheap rides across New Zealand — on a driver's way home
Backhaul Rides connects you with fully vetted commercial drivers who are already making your trip — often heading back with empty seats after a job. You pay per seat, from $0.48 per km, and your card is only ever held — you're charged only when the driver accepts your request.
| Backhaul Rides | Bus / train | Taxi | Uber / Bolt / Didi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | From $0.48/km per seat | Low, but fixed routes | Very high for long trips | High outside city centres |
| Timing options | Whenever a driver is going your way | Fixed timetable, often 1–2 a day | On demand | On demand, if a car is nearby |
| Pick-up | Near you — home, hotel or work for a small extra cost | Station or stop only | Door to door | Door to door |
| Arrival-time certainty | Estimate only — allow ±60 min | Fixed schedule | High | High |
| When you pay | Only when the driver accepts — card is held, not charged | Upfront | After the ride | After the ride |
How it works
- Step 1
Enter your pick-up
Type your address and see every upcoming trip passing near you. Add your drop-off to narrow it down.
- Step 2
See your real price
You pay per seat for the kilometres you ride — never the full-route price. Any detour cost for home pick-up shows in the quote before you commit.
- Step 3
Send a request
Your card is held, not charged. The driver has 12 hours to accept or decline — they always stay in control.
- Step 4
Ride when accepted
Only then is the hold captured. Your pick-up time is a rough estimate — the driver messages you when they're on the way.
When Backhaul Rides is NOT for you
If you must arrive at an exact time — a flight check-in with no buffer, a wedding, a job interview — don't rely on a backhaul ride. Pick-up times are honest estimates that can move by up to about an hour because the driver may have other pick-ups on the way. For everything else, it's the cheapest comfortable way to travel between NZ towns and cities.
Ways to ride
Share a seat
The cheapest option. Book one or more seats on a trip already happening and pay only for your kilometres.
Home, hotel or work pick-up
For a small extra detour cost the driver collects you from your door. Close to their route? It's free.
Make it private
Buy all available seats and the vehicle is yours alone — no other pick-ups, and more control over timing. A high-class taxi service at a fraction of the cost.
Booking and cancellation, in plain language
- Your card is held, never charged, until the driver accepts your request. Declined or expired requests cost you nothing.
- Drivers must cancel at least 24 hours before the ride — if they cancel, you're refunded in full.
- You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
- Bookings within 3 hours of departure cost 20% more — short notice means extra admin and the driver adjusting their plans while getting ready for work. The driver can still accept or decline.
- Every driver is a fully vetted commercial driver with a P endorsement, passenger service licence, current Certificate of Fitness and insurance.
Popular routes
Common questions
- How much does a Backhaul ride cost?
- Seats start at $0.48 per km per seat when a driver is already travelling your route. Drivers set their own price, so the exact fare shows on each listing before you book. You only ever pay for the kilometres you ride.
- When is my card charged?
- Only when the driver accepts your request. We place a hold on your card when you book — nothing is taken. If the driver declines or doesn't respond within 12 hours, the hold is released and you pay nothing.
- How accurate are the pick-up times?
- Pick-up times are rough estimates and can shift by up to about an hour, because the driver may have other pick-ups on the way. Drivers message you in advance when they're on the way, so keep your phone handy. If you must arrive at an exact minute, Backhaul Rides is not the right choice.
- Can I be picked up from home, my hotel or my workplace?
- Yes. Enter your exact address when you book. If it's near the driver's route there's no extra charge; if the driver has to drive further to reach you, a small per-kilometre detour cost is shown in your quote before you pay.
- Can I book the whole vehicle?
- Yes — buy all the available seats on a trip and the vehicle becomes private to you. With no other pick-ups or drop-offs you get more control over timing, and it's still usually well under the cost of a taxi for the same distance.
- What are the cancellation rules?
- Drivers must cancel at least 24 hours before the ride — if they cancel, you get a full refund. Passengers can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Requests the driver hasn't accepted yet can be cancelled any time at no cost.
- Why do last-minute bookings cost more?
- Requests made within 3 hours of departure cost 20% more. Short-notice bookings mean extra admin for us and the driver adjusting their plans while getting ready for work. The driver still chooses whether to accept, and your card is still only held until they do.
- Who are the drivers?
- Fully vetted commercial drivers who already drive for a living — taxi, shuttle, van and coach drivers, and drivers who work for Uber, Bolt, Ola, Didi and other transport companies. Every driver must hold a P endorsement, a passenger service licence, a current Certificate of Fitness and insurance before they can take a booking.
Ready to ride for less?
Search your pick-up address and see which vetted commercial drivers are already heading your way.
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