22 July 2016

New bus and train zones in August

Auckland Transport is introducing a new zone-based public transport system to make fares simpler. The new, Simpler Fares system for all bus and train services starts on 14 August 2016 (excludes SkyBus).

The new zone map has 13 zones, and fares will be calculated according to the number of zones travelled through for the entire journey.

Public Transport Commercial Manager Colin Homan says this is a significant change to bus and train fares in Auckland. “It’s much easier for people to work out their fare before they travel.”

Mr Homan says colour coded zones along with a new fare table make it simpler to work out cash or AT HOP fares no matter which buses or trains you take. “Simply add up the number of zones you are traveling through and use the fare table to work out your fare.”

With an AT HOP card it’s even simpler for bus and train journeys, with a single fare being charged for each journey, even if you take several buses or trains to get to your destination. This will become increasingly important as Auckland Transport rolls out the New Network for public transport over the next two years, beginning with south Auckland later this year. The New Network aims to be much simpler and easier to understand and use. It will be better connected and generally more frequent, and the new fare system will help customers to make the most of it.

Mr Homan says with an AT HOP card you will pay for one entire journey from A to B, instead of paying for each bus or train separately. “Tag on and off each bus and train as you do now, and at the end of your journey you will be charged a single fare.

“During a journey you can use up to five buses or trains within four hours, with up to 30 minutes transfer time between each trip.

“The new system means you can take the fastest or most convenient option without paying more for doing so by using an AT HOP card. For example, if travelling from Howick to the city centre, it may be quicker to take a bus to Panmure and a train for the rest of the journey, rather than staying on the bus for the whole trip.”

He says a new AT HOP child weekend fare is also being introduced, to make weekend family outings more affordable by public transport, along with changes to the AT HOP day pass and three new ferry monthly passes.

“A child paying with an AT HOP card, with a child concession applied, can travel anywhere in Auckland, making up to 5 bus or train trips over a 4 hour period with up to 30 minutes transfer time between each trip and pay a one-zone fare regardless of how many zones they cross.”

A new AT HOP day pass costing $18 provides unlimited travel until midnight on the day it is first used on all buses and trains plus inner harbour ferry services (except SkyBus services). Inner-harbour ferries are Devonport, Stanley Bay, Bayswater, Northcote Pt and Birkenhead services.

SkyBus services are excluded from the new system.

For further information on the fare zones and fares go to www.at.govt.nz/simplerfares

Terms of use and registered prospectus for the AT HOP cards are available at ATgovt.nz/athop or at the AT Customer Service Centre, Britomart. The obligations of Auckland Transport under the AT HOP cards are unsecured.

ends

© Scoop Media