Transport Minister promises review of ‘shocker’ $1.36b ticketing system
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the $1.36 billion National Ticketing Solution is a “shocker” and promises a comprehensive review of the project to ensure “debacles like this never happen again”.
That idea was quashed after officials advised the minister it could cost up to $27 million and delay the already postponed rollout by another year.
The system is designed to replace public transport cards nationwide and create a single contactless payment method for travel by bus, train or ferry. It has been in development at the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for 16 years.
In a reply to a post on X referencing The Post’s story, Bishop said transport systems around the country were reaching the end of their working life, so the choice was either to upgrade each one or build a single national system.
He noted that half of its cost was operational spending which had not been spent and then went on to say that the programme had been “a shocker”.
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“It’s in much better shape than what we inherited. Key now is getting on with it and then doing a full and comprehensive review to ensure debacles like this never happen again.”
When asked about Bishop’s comments Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he understood it was set up under a National Government.
“I’d have to look into that but I think that programme actually pre-dates our government, it is one that’s been kicking around for quite a long time.”
The Post noted that the contract for the project was signed in 2022 and he responded that he did not have all the details and would have to have a look at it.
Auckland and Wellington have their own contactless payment systems, which public transport providers in both cities say will help transition people to the NTS.
Auckland’s system cost $25.6m, funded 46% by the Government and the remainded by Auckland Council.
Greater Wellington Regional Council spent $5.3m implementing its Snapper-based system.
In an analysis on the project’s history published in the Sunday Star Times today, NZTA said the project’s $1.36b budget was split into $528m for design and implementation and $830m for operational costs which covered through to 2037.
The agency said to May this year $271m had been spent, with $251m for design and implementation, and $20m for ongoing operational costs.