JUST THE TICKET - IF ONLY THE BUSES WERE READY
23 July 2008
WELLINGTON commuters can now pay for their bus ride -- and their morning coffee -- with a quick swipe of a smartcard.
However, passengers on some routes will have to stick to old- fashioned tickets for a few weeks, as the new Snapper card is introduced.
The cards, on sale from yesterday afternoon, are designed to speed up the city's bus service.
But of Go Wellington's 222 buses, only 137 are Snapper-ready. Others will be brought online as drivers are trained and teething problems fixed.
As of last night, more than 50 outlets in the city were offering services that can be paid for using the Snapper card, including dry-cleaning, coffee and video rental.
NZ Bus spokeswoman Megan McSweeney said all buses should be accepting the card within weeks.
The Snapper cards cost $10 till the end of October, after which they will cost $15. Topping up the card at Snapper agents will be free till the end of September, and will then cost 25 cents.
The cards can store up to $300, which can be loaded at retail outlets or online. Bus passengers swipe the cards as they board, then swipe them again as they disembark.
The fare -- or payments at participating outlets -- is then automatically deducted.
The cards will phase out 10-trip tickets, which will not be sold after August 29 and will not be accepted by drivers from December.
Bus passengers who use the Snapper card will get a 25 per cent discount off each adult single fare. The card is not yet available for senior, child or monthly fares.
©2008 Fairfax New Zealand Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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