Auckland first to receive national ticketing system

Thursday, 20 June 2024

Aucklanders will be the first in New Zealand to be able to use their credit cards, debit cards and phones to pay for bus fares, while Christchurch will get it next year, and Wellington in late 2025.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown on Thursday confirmed the roll-out of the national ticketing system (NTS) would begin this year.

He also announced a 41% increase in public transport funding, taking it from $1.38 billion between 2021 and 2024 to $1.95b between 2024 and 2027.

Auckland would be the first to get the contactless payment system later this year, followed by Timaru in December - originally thought to be first - and Christchurch in early 2025.

Bay of Plenty and Invercargill could expect the system in mid 2025, while Wellington and Hawke’s Bay would have to wait until later next year.

All other regions would get the system by the end of 2026.

Existing pre-paid transit cards would still be available under the NTS, alongside contactless debit cards, credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

“These methods are common elsewhere around the world, and it’s time New Zealanders had access to the same standard of service,” Brown said.

The 41% increase in funding for public transport was a “record investment”, he said.

However, the increase differed across regions, with Nelson receiving just $22,000 of extra funding (a 7% increase on its current funding) compared to Hawke’s Bay’s $9.4 million bonus - a 116% rise.

Canterbury would get $63m more (55%), Wellington an additional $100m (30%), and Waikato an extra $13m (34%).