Friday 29 April, 2011

The first phase of Auckland’s new smartcard, HOP, for Auckland’s public transport users, will roll out on 8 May.

Auckland Transport’s Chief Executive, David Warburton, says,” This is a tremendous step forward in the ever increasing development of Auckland’s public transport system. For the first time in Auckland’s history we are on the move towards a fully integrated multi-operator smartcard with bus, rail and ferry”.

On 8 May HOP cards with a Snapper logo will replace Go Rider cards on North Star buses. The rollout will continue in the following weeks on Go West and Waka Pacific buses then Metrolink and LINK buses. HOP cards will be available from retail outlets from next Monday, 2 May.

Some of the HOP benefits HOP users will soon be enjoying include;

•Saving up to 10% off the normal cash fare
•faster and easier boarding
•HOP is flexible. You can top up your HOP card with e-money for the greatest flexibility, or load it with 10 trips
•A HOP balance can be protected if it is lost or stolen
•HOP is online. Register your card to protect your balance and create a MyHOP account to access your card's balance, transactions and journey history online.

Dr Warburton says, “This first phase of Auckland’s smartcard gives cardholders the convenience of using the same card for everyday purchases with Snapper. NZ Bus has chosen to use Snapper’s equipment to join the HOP scheme, which will be adapted at the end of the year to interoperate with the Thales system when the next phase of the rollout with rail, some ferry and bus, comes into play.

“Thales is Auckland Transport’s long term provider for Auckland’s smartcard system, chosen out of a strong list of contenders. Thales is supplying design, technology and a system that allows for interoperability. Thales has been involved in ticketing programs for over 40 years with electronic ticketing solutions in operation in more than 100 cities around the world including involvement with Hong Kong’s highly successful Octopus card.

“It is the co-operation between Thales, Auckland Transport and Snapper which will enable Snapper’s equipment, NZ Bus, other transport operators and third parties to connect to Auckland Transport’s central system which is provided by Thales. We are also very appreciative of the ongoing support from the New Zealand Transport Agency”.

Auckland Mayor, Len Brown, says, "The HOP card and integrated ticketing is one of the keys to continuing the surge in the growth in public transport patronage in Auckland. It is just another measure we are taking to make public transport more convenient, cost effective, comfortable and faster. More people now use public transport than at any time in the past 60 years - I am determined we can double current patronage in the foreseeable future and the HOP card is one way we will do that”.

Snapper’s CEO, Miki Szikszai, says. “Snapper is pleased to support Auckland Transport in their deployment of the HOP system. Snapper’s expertise in ticketing equipment, smartcards, logistics and customer support are being used to make Phase 1 of HOP happen. We think users of HOP cards will also quickly embrace the additional benefits of using these cards through the entire Snapper network for retail and taxis in Auckland and everywhere in New Zealand where they see the Snapper sign”

NZ Bus Chief Executive, Zane Fulljames says, “This is an exciting time for NZ Bus, we’re delighted to be working in partnership to introduce the first step towards integrated ticketing in Auckland. We appreciate this is going to be a period of change for our customers. We are confident they will quickly adapt to HOP and realize the benefits of faster boarding and improved reliability”.

Dr. Warburton says, “Following the roll out of HOP on all NZ Bus services, the next phase of the rollout, Phase Two, will be near the end of the year using the Thales system. This phase will include the addition of rail and the Devonport ferry service. The third and final phase will roll out in 2012 which will see all rail, ferry services and bus services integrated onto a single card”.

“I am very pleased with the pace and progress being made on this important transport project. The first multi-modal, multi-operator functionality will be rolled out towards the end of 2011, 20 months from the signing of the contract”.

For more information about HOP, pick up a "Here Comes Hop" leaflet on board your bus, visit myhop.co.nz or call 09 366 4HOP (09 366 4467).

ENDS

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