Source: New Zealand Government
The National Ticketing Solution (NTS), also known as Motu Move, will roll out fully in Canterbury from today, marking an important milestone in delivering an easier and more convenient way for passengers to pay for public transport across New Zealand, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Current public transport ticketing systems are majority funded by Government through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) and are at the end of their useful life. Instead of paying to upgrade four different legacy systems, decisions were made in 2022 to fund, design, and deliver one new modern system to replace them all. That is the National Ticketing Solution or NTS,” Mr Bishop says.
“The NTS will make public transport easier and more consistent nationwide, allowing passengers to pay with contactless debit or credit cards, Apple or Google Pay, or a prepaid Motu Move card, with cash also accepted in some areas.
“Canterbury has been the testing ground for the NTS, with new features introduced progressively over the past year. Contactless payments for standard adult fares began in November 2025, followed by Community Services Card and SuperGold discounts linked to Motu Move accounts in February this year.
“As of September, more than two million trips have been taken using the NTS in Canterbury, including thousands of registered users with applicable fare discounts. The strong uptake and use of the NTS have given the project team the confidence to roll out all remaining features.
“From today, the NTS will now also enable child, youth, and accessibility fare discounts. This means any public transport user who has created a Motu Move account, linked their eligible fare discount and preferred contactless payment method will automatically get the best fare when they travel.
“Today, we are also introducing prepaid Motu Move travel cards, available online or through participating retailers. Children aged five to 18 years old, as well as Community Services Card holders, are eligible for a free Motu Move card when their region transitions to the NTS. Children can also claim one free replacement card if they lose their first card.
“For users who don’t qualify for an applicable fare discount, you can continue to use your preferred credit/debit cards or mobile devices to pay a standard adult fare, as you have been able to do since November last year or purchase a Motu Move card.
“With the full NTS now available in Canterbury, more equipment will be installed on local buses and ferries over the next few months, allowing passengers to tag on and off each service. By the end of the year, all customers will have moved to the new system, with Metrocard and cash no longer accepted.
“The NTS will be rolled out across all regions by the end of 2027. Once complete, New Zealand will be one of the few countries in the world where people can travel on public transport across multiple regions using the same system, contactless payment method, and get the best fare automatically when they travel.
“Given public transport services are majority funded by the Government through the NLTF, having one ticketing system will also help provide better quality data to help public transport authorities plan services and deliver better value for money.
“I have also made my expectations very clear to our Public Transport Authorities (PTAs) that the Government will not be funding any other public transport ticketing system in the future. No exceptions. All PTAs signed on to the NTS in October 2022, and now is the time to get onboard and get it done.
“After a long history of frustrating delays and setbacks, I’m pleased that we are finally getting on with the job of delivering the NTS. It will make public transport more convenient, easier to use, and deliver a consistent experience, no matter where New Zealanders are or what service they are using.”
Notes to editor:
- A fare discount (or concession) is applicable on travel for eligible passengers, e.g. for children, people over 65, and those who have accessibility needs.
- People with more than one applicable fare discount can link the discounts to their chosen contactless card or device. This guarantees them the best fare whenever they travel.
- Applicable fare discounts can’t be linked to more than one card or device at a time and people need to always tag on with the same contactless card or device to get the concession fare.
- The National Ticketing Solution, also known as Motu Move, is available on all Metro bus and ferry services in Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts.
- Prepaid Motu Move cards are available online, from local retailers, and the Metro Counter at the Bus Interchange.
- The removal of cash options from public transport services is a decision for Public Transport Authorities and not a requirement of the National Ticketing Solution.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/23/national-ticketing-solution-rolls-out-in-canterbury/