Integrated Transport Ticket Solution Revealed

Integrated Transport Ticket Solution Revealed

Real savings in time and money for commuters and tourists in the Auckland Region is now available from Auckland’s major public transport companies. New Zealand’s first three-way integrated travel ticket for commuters was launched to guests gathered in Auckland today.

Called the Auckland Discovery Pass, the integrated ticket solution is the result of Auckland bus, rail and ferry companies working together to deliver a new and easy way for people to utilise public transport services around the Auckland region.

The Auckland Discovery Pass is a day ticket that allows unlimited travel on Auckland’s main bus, train and ferry companies at a cost of $12.00 per person. The integrated ticket will be sold by bus drivers, train crew and at the Fuller’s Ferry ticket office. For use between 5am on the day of purchase, through to 4am the following day, the Auckland Discovery Pass is available on virtually all trains and buses between Drury & Beachlands/Maraetai in the South to Waimauku and Wenderholm/Waiwera in the North, plus inner-harbour Fullers ferries.

Auckland Regional Council Chair, Councillor Gwen Bull, said people have been talking about integrated ticketing for a long time, but making it happen requires a lot of planning and cooperation.

“The Discovery Pass is the first step in the right direction to get people to use our transport services more efficiently. It’s not as easy as people think to develop the structure to support an integrated ticket initiative like this, and it’s a credit to the public transport companies involved that they have been able to combine their services to bring it to market so quickly.

“Auckland is an international city now and it’s time we step up to the echelon of other cities like London, Sydney and Paris where day passes are commonplace and very successful. With the support of the private sector and the support of central and local government we will continue to develop better public transport for the travelling public, increase frequency of services, develop more service types and improve their reliability.”

Speaking for the combined operators of the pass, Stagecoach Executive Chairman Ross Martin says the bus, rail and ferry companies are working together to offer more choice and convenience for the public and visitors to the region. “The introduction of this pass is an example of how the public transport companies in Auckland can work together to provide a quick, simple solution to get integrated ticketing underway.

“A small but significant number of commuters need to transfer between operators of various public transport modes. The Auckland Discovery Pass gives people the convenience of one ticket and offers real benefits in time saved on purchasing tickets and transferring between transport vehicles, as well offering a varying level of cost savings. The tourism sector will also benefit from visitors being able to explore various sights through different transport options for a set low fare.

“It’s all about increasing the ease with which people can use public transport in Auckland,” says Ross Martin. “By removing even small impediments with this joint travel pass, we can take another step towards improving the current transport situation.”

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