Source: MakeLemonade.nz
Te Whanganui a Tara – Whether it’s on the bus, train or ferry, New Zealanders will soon be able to use a single payment system across Aotearoa.
This is a key milestone in the journey to grow public transport use by providing a single payment system and a range of easy-to-use payment methods, no matter where anyone is in the country.
The government has stitched up the deal to make it more affordable, easier and attractive for Kiwis to use public transport.
Through investments the government is delivering linked up public transport networks across the country that help people get to where they want to go.
When implemented, the national ticketing solution (NTS) will offer a wide range of benefits to public transport users. The payment system will be convenient, easy to use, and offer a consistent customer experience.
Customers will be able to choose what payment method works best for them. They will be able to pay for public transport using contactless debit or credit cards, as well as digital payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay, while still offering the option of using a pre-paid transit card.
This new technology will allow daily weekly and monthly fare caps to be applied to travel automatically, meaning customers will be charged the best possible fare at the end of each day.
It will also mean that when travelling to a new town, people will be able to pay using what’s already in their pocket, rather than having to buy a transit card specific to that region or fumble for cash.
The NTS will be an enabler for change. To encourage public transport as the preferred travel choice for more people, more often, the digital technology will improve the customer experience.
The local authorities saw the benefits that the NTS can provide to the decarbonisation and economic development of their regions.
Through improved access and increased patronage of public transport, roads will become less congested, safer and we will reduce our emissions.
The National Ticketing Solution will be rolled out in a stage process across the different public transport authorities, starting with Environment Canterbury in 2024.
