Auckland Transport Media Release

24 August 2012

Snapper Out of Auckland’s Integrated Ticketing Project

Auckland Transport Chief Executive, David Warburton, said this afternoon, in the interests of protecting Aucklanders’ money and progressing the essential outcome of a first-class integrated ticketing programme for public transport in the region, Auckland Transport has terminated its participation agreement with Snapper Services Limited. The decision was reached late this afternoon.

Dr Warburton says, “This is a regrettable decision but follows our conclusion that Snapper could not modify its system in a suitable timeframe to make it compliant with the technology being progressively developed for Auckland Transport by French firm Thales, which won the major contract to supply the Auckland Transport integrated ticketing system for “HOP” cards and readers.

“Snapper had agreed to have its equipment compliant with the integrated ticketing system to enable bus services to be added to the integrated ticketing programme mix by 30 November.

“Auckland Transport has concluded that Snapper is not able to meet that deadline.

“Given Snapper’s delay, and now this termination, Auckland Transport has made a commitment with Thales to deliver a bus solution for Auckland’s bus operators.

“HOP/Snapper card users on NZ Bus services will continue to use their current cards until their cards will be swapped out for free next year. The new cards will be known as AT/HOP cards.

“Meanwhile, Auckland Transport will introduce AT HOP on trains and ferries on schedule over the next two months, with rail introduced on 28 October and ferry by 30 November. Bus rollout will commence from April next year”.

Dr Warburton says the outcome brings certainty to the introduction of integrated ticketing in Auckland, internationally recognised as a key factor in increasing patronage.

INTEGRATED TICKETING

Commuters can benefit from integrated ticketing by pre-purchasing an AT HOP card which provides discounted fares of up to 10 per cent. The card is tagged against an electronic reader when commuters enter a bus, train or ferry – and again when they alight – and the correct fare is automatically deducted from the card. Not only is this more convenient for the customer, but loading and unloading is achieved more quickly, assisting better time-keeping.

Limited integrated ticketing was successfully introduced in Auckland at the time of last year’s Rugby World Cup through the A-Pass.

Aucklanders currently make more than 70 million train, ferry and bus trips a year. Increasing public transport patronage is a key feature in developing a compact city, an objective outlined in the recently released Auckland Plan.

Auckland Transport will be making no additional comment on the termination of the participation agreement with Snapper at this time but will be available to provide details in respect of the project going forward.

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CUSTOMERS READIED FOR NEXT PHASE OF INTEGRATED TICKETING ON TRAINS AND FERRY SERVICES

Auckland Transport is in the final stages of preparing customers for the next phase of integrated ticketing in Auckland. Rail services will be introduced on 28 October this year with ferry services added by 30 November this year. A new card will also be introduced which will be branded the AT (Auckland Transport) HOP card and, at full implementation, will be the single card used for integrated travel on rail, ferries and the region’s bus services.

Auckland Transport Chief Operating Officer, Greg Edmonds says, “Work is near completion for the implementation of this phase of integrated ticketing on rail and ferry which includes gating at Britomart and Newmarket and the installation of ticket and top up machines across the rail network and ticket readers at ferry wharves.

“Leading up to the introduction of integrated ticketing on trains at the end of October, a number of changes will be made to train ticketing which are very important for customers to take note of. These changes include:

• From 10 September customers can buy their tickets before they board. Ultimately all tickets will be purchased off board as per other international cities. Tickets can be purchased from new Ticket and Top-Up machines on all train station platforms. Customers should be aware that tickets may be checked either before customers board, while they are on the train or at their destinations.

• From 28 October 10 trip tickets, Day Rover and Monthly Passes for trains will be replaced by the Auckland Transport pre pay card. Monthly passes will be loaded onto the AT/HOP card and stored value can be added to the card to pay for single trips. Other passes will be replaced by the AT HOP card over time.

• More detailed information will be available as changes are implemented and Auckland Transport will keep reminding customers of these changes through a variety of communications channels”.

Mr. Edmonds says, “We will have two cards in the market for a period with the HOP Snapper card currently being used for NZ Bus services, but this card will be phased out by Auckland Transport with the final introduction of AT HOP”.

Dave Brash Group Manager, Planning & Investment for the New Zealand Transport Agency says,

"Integrated ticketing and fares is an essential feature of effective modern public transport systems, so together with Auckland Transport, the NZTA has made a significant investment into the Auckland integrated ticketing scheme.

The roll out of the new AT HOP scheme on Auckland trains and ferries is the result of a successful working partnership between Auckland Transport, the NZTA, transport operators and Thales and other equipment and service suppliers. The NZTA congratulates Auckland Transport on achieving this major milestone towards improved public transport for the people of Auckland."

Mayor Brown says, “We really are on the way towards a world-class city with integrated ticketing well advanced, new electric trains which start to arrive next year and the City Rail Link designation under way”.

-Ends-

Background information

Information about changes to train ticketing can be found on www.maxx.co.nz while information about AT HOP can be found on the Auckland Transport website as the MAXX brand and offerings begin to be bought into the Auckland Transport brand. (HOP/Snapper information can still be found on www.MYHOP.co.nz).

Auckland Transport will have ambassadors on the ground at train stations and on trains, helping customers through the changes

An AT HOP card will cost an initial $10 to purchase to cover costs in much the same way as you would pay for a new credit or debit bank card. HOP/Snapper card holders will be able to swap their cards over for free once AT HOP is introduced on bus services.

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