Easter Warning For HOP Card Users
The Public Transport Users Association is warning Auckland Transport HOP card users to be careful this long weekend as
they could be overcharged for fares on Rail Replacement buses.
The PTUA brought the issue to the attention of Auckland Transport after faulty HOP card readers on rail replacement
buses and connecting trains over Waitangi weekend overcharged passengers.
Jon Reeves, Coordinator for the PTUA, said “We have warned AT that passengers HOP cards have been illegally overcharged
on long weekends when rail lines are partially closed down for maintenance, possibly by hundreds of thousands of dollars
collectively. AT have not responded to our concerns, so this weekend the PTUA will be checking the fares for HOP users
on rail replacement services. If any illegal overcharging occurs then we will be laying a complaint against AT with the
Commerce Commission for breaching the Fair Trading Act by charging higher than advertised fares. Aucklanders have been
promised a smart HOP card to make transport easier. Unfortunately, it has turned out the HOP card has made it easier for
overcharging users and AT have not been forth coming correcting the issue”.
AT needs to advise and refund HOP card users, who are most likely unaware they are being overcharged by as much as
double the published fare. Reeves says “The PTUA have lodged an OIA request and are waiting for AT’s response to find
out how many HOP card passengers used rail replacement services in the past 14 months, and how many were overcharged.
The PTUA are asking passengers to check the fare deducted from their HOP cards on journeys this weekend which use buses
as full or partial replacement for train services. If they believe they have been over charged, please contact the PTUA
with details. HOP card users should pay particular attention on these services which could overcharge your account:
• All services on the Western Line will be replaced by rail buses from Good Friday (25 March) to Easter
Monday (28 March).
• All services on the Southern, Eastern and Onehunga Line will be replaced by rail buses on Good Friday.
• Trains are operating between Sylvia Park and Britomart on the Eastern Line on Saturday 26, Sunday 27
and Easter Monday 28 March. All other services will be replaced by buses.
• All services on the Southern and Onehunga Line will be replaced by buses on Saturday 26, Sunday 27 and
Easter Monday 28 March.
ENDS