Rt Hon Winston Peters

New Zealand First Leader

Member of Parliament for Northland
20 MAY 2016

Think Again Auckland Transport – Abandon The Supergold Card Switch

New Zealand First is questioning why Auckland Transport is persisting with the move to abandon the use of the SuperGold Card on buses, trains and ferries.

“Auckland Transport is learning the hard way that this measure brought in by stealth is not popular,” says New Zealand First Leader and MP for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“It is struggling to get all SuperGold Cardholders to buy a HOP card, as required by the government.

“It has run out of HOP cards, belatedly decided to change the colour to gold for senior users, and been forced to extend its July 1 deadline.

“Only 60,000 SuperGold Cardholders have been signed up for the blue HOP card loaded with the SuperGold concession, with another 140,000 to go.

“We sympathise with the council, but they should not be conniving with the National government to destroy the SuperGold Card.

“The Prime Minister promised he would never touch New Zealand superannuitants entitlements but he has done just that. National should be ashamed, this is another round of deceit and deception aimed at destroying the SuperGold Card. Steven Joyce tried in 2010 but was forced to back down.

“The latest attack started with National putting a lid on funding for the off-peak travel concession, instead of subsidising every seat.

“They pushed responsibility onto regional councils, but there’s not enough money.

“Then, by stealth over Christmas, the government abolished the use of the SuperGold Card on transport where there is a smart card available.

“The first city to do this is Auckland. SuperGold Cardholders must buy a smart card – the HOP card - for $10 load $5 prepaid credit, and stop using their SuperGold Card by July 1.

“The new card is not interchangeable between cities.

“Now the HOP card is changing from blue to gold for Seniors – a belated attempt to win over Seniors.

“The fact is National is deceitfully undermining the card’s value and using it to cut government costs.

“The original idea was that Seniors could use empty off-peak seats, but as regional councils struggle to fund the scheme it’s likely hours of travel will be reduced, some transport operators will withdraw and SuperGold Cardholders will miss out.

“Salt-of-the-earth New Zealanders who have paid taxes all their lives and have reached retirement age are being denied the value of what SuperGold Card is all about.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media