Motu Move will pilot its new contactless payment technology on the Route 29 bus from Christchurch Airport to the city from December 2024. Customers will be able to pay for adult non-concession fares with debit or credit cards and devices, alongside the existing Metrocard and cash payment options.
The pilot will allow this part of the new system to be tested in a live environment before Motu Move is rolled out in the Canterbury region and will make it easier for visitors to the city to use public transport over the summer.
For more information, see Metro's Route 29 Pilot page:
More ways to pay on route 29 (Metro website)(external link)
You’ll be able to pay for public transport using contactless debit or credit cards and digital payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile phones and smart watches, as well as your current Metrocard or cash.
Just tag on using your contactless card or device on the Motu Move card reader. If you’re using your Metrocard, use your usual card reader by the driver or pay cash. If you’re paying with Metrocard or cash, you can board and pay as you normally would.
If you’re travelling with friends or family and paying by credit or debit card, each passenger will need their own way to pay. You can still pay for friends or family with your Metrocard or cash.
Using a contactless payment method on Route 29 will cost $2, the same as an adult fare with Metrocard. Use the same card or device each time you travel on Route 29 to make the most of the daily or weekly maximum fare (fare cap) of $4 per day or $16 per week.
More ways to pay on route 29 (Metro website)(external link)
Motu Move can take payment from contactless debit or credit cards. All Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit cards are accepted. For contactless cards, you’ll see the symbol and/or a microchip on your card.
If your debit card is not a contactless card, you can ask your bank to give you one or choose another way to pay.
Motu Move will not pass on the transaction cost of using contactless payments to customers. Customers using debit or credit cards from overseas, may be charged currency conversion costs or other fees by their card provider.
CloseMotu Move can currently accept payments via Apple Pay, GooglePay, or Samsung Pay.
Some mobile wallets can work without data, check with your wallet provider.
Usually yes, but some mobile wallet providers don’t always need phone battery power to transmit the payment details.
CloseWe won’t deduct fares from your card at the time of travel, but you may see a $0.10 pre-authorisation transaction when you tag on to verify the card. That will be replaced overnight (or later depending on your card provider) with one transaction for the total daily fare for all your trips with any fare caps being automatically applied. That transaction will happen at approximately 4am and will show as Motu Move on your bank statement.
The date your payment appears on your account may not be the same as the date you travelled and at the earliest will appear the next day. If you travel over the weekend, you may have multiple charges show on one day. If there are charges that you're still unsure about, call the Motu Move Contact Centre.
CloseOccasionally a contactless payment card will not be accepted for travel, even though it's been used in the past.
This could be because:
If your card or device is declined when we try to take payment it will be suspended for travel. This means you won’t be able to use your card or device to travel until any unpaid fares have been paid in full and we’ve received a successful authorisation from your bank.
There are two options to reactivate your card or device.
We take payment security very seriously and our systems and processes are fully compliant with New Zealand data security laws. This technology is used in several countries and has been rigorously tested to international standards.
CloseThe National Ticketing Solution is a programme that will provide a range of easy-to-use payments methods that customers can use for all public transport across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Motu Move is the public-facing brand of the National Ticketing Solution (NTS), which is a partnership between the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and 13 Public Transport Authorities (PTAs). It will provide quick, safe and easy-to-use payment methods for all public transport across the country.
CloseA single payment system will make it easier for people to access public transport anywhere in the country. This will enable more people to use public transport, more often.
Making it easier for more people to use public transport more often will also help reduce road congestion.
A nationwide system means we can offer better technology at a lower cost (both establishment and maintenance) than would be possible using the separate regional systems we have now.
Also, customer expectations around payment options have changed and more people expect to be able to pay for public transport with their debit or credit card or their smart phone or watch. Many other countries already provide these options, and both kiwi and tourists expect the same in New Zealand.
CloseMotu Move will manage ticketing and payments, but each region will continue to provide the public transport services and set their own fares. They’ll maintain control over their routes and services and future development of the public transport network in their region.
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