This presentation will discuss the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) delivered in partnership by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, our 13 Public Transport Authorities and suppliers: Cubic Transportation Systems, Activata, ASB and Mastercard. Making it easier to pay for travel through offering more payment options and providing a consistent customer experience will improve public transport for New Zealanders and tourists.

We will discuss the background of the NTS and how a national approach to public transport ticketing is becoming a reality and bringing a safe, modern, accessible, innovative and technically advanced payment system to all cities and regions in New Zealand. 

We’re creating a countrywide system for public transport payments with more payment options gives passengers greater flexibility to choose their preferred way to pay. 

Wherever they are in Aotearoa, by 2026 passengers will be able to tag on and off any bus, train or ferry using contactless payment methods such as debit or credit cards and digital payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Other payment methods such as pre-paid transit cards will also be available making the choice for payment up to the passenger.

The new ticketing solution, driven by modern technology, will enable us to understand patterns of public transport use so we can continue to support New Zealanders onto more sustainable modes of transport through informed policy decisions.

The National Ticketing Solution is a positive step to ensuring that all passengers have a consistent and easy-to-use public transport experience – no matter where they are in the country.