Over the next 12 months, Auckland Transport (AT) will introduce easier payment options for all buses, trains, and ferries. Customers will be able to tag on and off using contactless payments (debit/credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay) along with the existing AT HOP card.
These changes will apply to full fare paying adults, while those wanting concession discounts will still need to use their HOP card. AT Chief Executive Dean Kimpton states this is part of ongoing efforts to make public transport more user-friendly for Aucklanders and visitors.
This new system will simplify payments, making it as easy as using a credit card, just like in major cities worldwide.You can just tag on with what you already have in your pocket like in London, New York or Sydney. The improvements are expected to increase public transport usage by two to three million trips per year, helping Auckland achieve over 100 million trips annually by 2024. More public transport usage means less traffic, lower emissions, and safer, easier travel in the city.
AT’s Group Manager of Digital and Technology Delivery, Chris Creighton, notes that COVID-19 has accelerated the move towards contactless payments. There has been a 62% increase in contactless transactions since 2018, making it an ideal method for public transport.
While convenient for customers, implementing this system requires significant backend work. The upgrade, costing around $23 million, will provide benefits for users, the environment, and the city. Creighton mentions that they are learning from other cities like London and Sydney that have successfully adopted similar technologies.
This initiative is part of the broader plan to introduce the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) by 2026. Starting contactless payments in Auckland will ease the transition to NTS, making it simpler for users.