AT HOP launches for ferries

Following on from the successful launch of AT HOP on trains on 27 October, the first phase of AT HOP for ferries goes live this Friday, 30 November. The first ferry service to use AT HOP is the 5.45am service from Auckland to Devonport.

More than 41,000 AT HOP cards have been taken up by commuters in the month they’ve been on sale.

Auckland Transport’s Chief Operating Officer, Greg Edmonds says, “AT HOP for ferries will begin with single ticket fares with at least a 10% discount off the equivalent single cash fare. Auckland Transport and ferry operators are working closely together to enable products such as ferry monthly and other passes, to be available on the AT HOP card in the near future”.

Mr Edmonds says; “The reason we have commenced the roll out of single trip only ferry users on the AT Hop card is to ensure that we focus on integrating ferries into the already successful roll out of trains without any additional system complexity.

“As we implement the integrated ticketing system on buses we will realign monthly passes and ten trip products to ensure fare zone boundaries are fair and equitable as well as look to roll out an additional suite of fare products across all modes”.

From Friday, AT HOP cards can be used to pay for discounted single trip cash fares on services to:

· Bayswater, Birkenhead, Northcote Point, Devonport and Stanley Bay

· Waiheke (Fullers Ferries)

· Gulf Harbour

· Pine Harbour

· West Harbour

· Half Moon Bay

Hobsonville and Beach Haven services will be included when they start in early 2013.

More than two thousand ferry services run in Auckland every week, carrying 5.5 million passengers each year from 19 ferry wharves around the region.

Mr Edmonds says, “Ferry users can pay for their travel by tagging on and off at the AT HOP card readers located in ferry terminals and on pontoons used by ferry services. The discount will be applied to fares when commuters tag off. Customers should be sure to tag on before they board and tag off each time they disembark to ensure they get the discount.

“Tag on at the start of every trip by placing your AT HOP card flat and still to the reader or electronic gate. A simple beep and green light will show that you have tagged on successfully.

“If you tag on and decide not to board, tag off within twenty minutes, you won’t’ be charged.

“We also advise you to register your AT HOP card. Registering gives you many benefits such as the ability to protect your card from unauthorised use should it be lost or stolen. It also protects the balance you have stored on your card and allows it to be transferred to a new card. Registering also gives you the ability to top up online which is easy and convenient”.

Mr Edmonds says, “We now have two ticks in the box for AT HOP with train and ferry services. The next phase in the integrated ticketing project is AT HOP on buses which will start rolling out in April next year.

Mayor, Len Brown, welcomes AT HOP on ferries as another step on the path to fully integrated ticketing on trains, ferries and buses across Auckland.

“Aucklanders have waited too long for the simplicity and savings that AT HOP will bring. It will be even better when we have our new electric trains and our rail network is properly connected via the City Rail Link.”

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