Probe into $1.3b national ticketing project finds delayed timeline still ‘ambitious’
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
A scathing report into the $1.3 billion project to allow bank cards and phones as payment on public transport has found the delayed launch dates are still “ambitious” despite ongoing cost risks.
The National Ticketing Solution (NTS) was first signed off 16 years ago and is designed to replace all of the country’s public transport cards and make one contactless payment system for all travelling via bus, train or ferry.
It was being developed by US transport-defence contractor Cubic, which had the contract to build, configure and operate the system.
The project hit several bumps in its development, with an independent review last year warning there was a high likelihood of significant delays to the transport upgrade and that its leadership had to be restructured.
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A delay shifted its rollout across the country from the end of this year to the end of next year.
It had its first win late last year when it was made available in Christchurch.
The Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) decided it could not wait for the NTS and developed its own system set for launch next month at a cost of just over $5 million.
NZTA recently made public an unreleased report completed in December, and provided an update on progress following the July review.
It found that despite slowing down the NTS rollout its time frames remained “ambitious” and a lack of commitment from Greater Wellington Regional Council and Auckland Transport posed a big problem.
“Without such commitment, significant risk will remain with respect to the capacity to effectively manage the programme from both a time and cost perspective.”
The report done by LEK Consulting also took aim at Wellington’s own ticketing project saying it would be “a distraction for GWRC staff who might otherwise be engaged on NTS”.
Metlink strategy and investments senior manager Tim Shackleton rejected the claim of distraction.
“This [the council’s own system] is managed separately from the NTS project.”
Shackleton said the regional council was committed to the NTS with “detailed planning underway”.
He said after the July review, NZTA and the regional council have continued to work together to develop an integrated plan and combined delivery functions for the Wellington region.
“Greater Wellington is working collaboratively with NZTA and a variety of stakeholders, and while challenges arise, Greater Wellington is committed to making the NTS solution work.”
Delayed timelines still ambitious
When asked by The Post whether Auckland Transport had confidence in the programme, an AT spokesperson said it was a matter for NZTA, not them and poured cold water on the project’s delayed rollout.
“AT is not responsible for the delivery of the NTS Programme, and this is a question for NZTA.
“We agree with the review’s finding that the integrated schedule is ambitious.”
The spokesperson said AT was still committed to the project.
Transport Minister not mincing words over expectations
Transport Minister Chris Bishop told The Post he’d made his expectation for those running the project clear.
“Get on with it.”
Bishop said while good progress had been made, there was still a significant amount of work to do. “I expect to see that work continue at pace.”
He said councils and public transport authorities needed to stay focused on delivery.
“Ultimately, New Zealanders very reasonably expect a simple, consistent way to pay for public transport across the country, and they expect it to be delivered. So do I.”
NZTA chief customer and services officer Sarina Pratley said with regard to the timeframes of the project, the agency had spent the past few months negotiating timings and what can be delivered.
“With many of the complex technical issues being resolved as part of the Greater Christchurch roll-out, we expect to be well-positioned from the second half of this year to begin delivery in the regions while we prepare for the roll outs across Wellington and Auckland.”
Pratley said NZTA was working in partnership with public transport providers to confirm more specific regional time frames for the NTS.
“Once formally agreed, these will be communicated.”
She made it clear that “all partners and public transport authorities remain committed to the NTS programme”.
It was noted in the report there had been progress since the review in July, she said.
“NTS has begun to deliver significant customer benefits with the first phase of Motu Move having been rolled out in Greater Christchurch.”
Pratley said Cubic had committed additional resources, with the company now working on the project seven days a week.
Cubic spokesperson Corey Shields told The Post the company valued its partnership with NZTA and was fully committed to “delivering a reliable, secure, and consistent national ticketing system that builds upon the successful launch in Greater Christchurch”.