Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

CityLink buses to move to smart cards

CityLink buses to move to smart cards

Whangarei’s CityLink public buses will move to contactless smart cards from early March in a bid to offer passengers a faster, more convenient service.

While passengers will still be able to use cash on board the buses to pay for individual trips under the new regime, the CityLink/Snapper smart card system will replace the existing, paper-based 10-trip concession cards.

The Northland Regional Council (which provides the service through current operator Ritchies Transport Holdings Ltd) says the company which had previously owned the distinctive green bus fleet had fitted it with most of the necessary equipment but the smart cards themselves had never been rolled out.

Sharlene Selkirk, the regional council’s Public Passenger Transport Officer, says the system had recently been updated and customised for Whangarei’s needs at little additional cost to ratepayers, other than a $20,000 initial outlay to provide current users with a free smart card.

“Everything possible is being done to ensure a smooth transition, but the change – which will officially take effect Monday 03 March – will obviously require some adjustments, especially for the 1000 or so known regular concession ticket users.”

Mrs Selkirk says advantages of the new prepaid smart cards include faster loading of buses and quicker, more accurate transfers between routes. (This is expected to be especially popular among school students who travel across multiple bus routes.)

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Other benefits include administrative efficiencies and a clearer picture of demand to assist officials in future planning. There will also be less cash carried on board, reducing potential security risks.

Mrs Selkirk says SuperGold Card holders will not be affected by the changes and can still use their cards for free travel, while other passengers can still use cash aboard buses to pay for individual trips. Passengers with existing 10-trip concession cards can use them for travel up to and including Saturday 31 May.

However, one of the biggest changes for concession ticket users is that the smart cards will not (subs: crrct, not) be able to be purchased on board buses when the system comes on line. At the same time early next month, new sales of the current paper-based concession cards will cease.

Mrs Selkirk says the smart card company is currently finalising – and expects to release details shortly – of a network of several local retailers who will be able to sell and top up the new cards. This service will also be available from the regional council’s Water St offices.

“Another top-up option is a Snapper ‘feeder’ which allows passengers to carry out their own credit card top-ups through their home computer. Normally sold for $25, these feeders are being offered at a special introductory price of just $10 during March. For those who have an Android smartphone with near field communication (NFC), you can download the free Snapper Mobile app from Google Play to check the real-time balance and top up any CityLink/Snapper card on the go.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Selkirk says one of the other main differences for users from March will be the need to both ‘tag on’ when they climb on board a bus and ‘tag off’ again when they leave it by holding their Snapper card to the reader by the front or back door.

“This allows the correct fare and discount to be calculated and also provides an up-to-date balance,” says Mrs Selkirk. “It’s also important to remember that Snapper cards also need to be held still at the reader, rather than just waved or swiped.”

Mrs Selkirk says while approximately 1000 free cards will be provided to regular concession users during the changeover period, any subsequent new or replacement cards will cost passengers $12 each.

She says holders of existing paper-based concession tickets are being asked to bring them to the Rose Street bus terminus on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 February to be issued with their own smart card.

“We estimate that we’ll need to swap over more than 1000 cards and obviously it makes sense for all parties if we can get as many of these done as possible within those two days. We’ll be on site at Rose St from 6am until 6pm both days but for those who can’t make it, will make provision for some changeovers at the regional council during March.”

She says a range of information on the change, including frequently-asked questions, is expected to be posted from Monday 17 February (subs: crrct, Mon 17 Feb) on the CityLink website via: www.citylinkwhangarei.co.nz It will include information on how users can register their cards to help protect their remaining prepaid balance in the event that the card is lost or stolen.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.