New public transport ticketing system delayed again
Fresh delays have hit the roll-out of the national public transport ticketing system.
The 'Motu Move' project will replace all transit cards used on buses, trains and ferries around New Zealand with a single national card.
Transport users will also be able to use contactless cards and other devices to tag on and off.
The first phase was due to be rolled out in Timaru and Temuka by mid-2025, but that has been delayed, with no revised date offered by NZTA.
Environment Canterbury councillor Deon Swiggs said another delay was "definitely frustrating" as it was a promising project.
"The principle of it is going to be absolutely fantastic ... you just tap on with your phone, tap off with your phone and it's seamless, it should be very easy the same way you use your public transport right across the country," he told Morning Report .
"We've got ferries in Canterbury, we've got trains in Wellington and buses anywhere in the country. So, it is really frustrating. It's an exciting project, but it's delayed."
Swiggs said there had been some challenges with the functionality.
He said his understanding was that the base functionality was working fine, but it was the extra functionality that had been causing some of the issues.
"Imagine you've got so many different pricing structures across the country, that's one of the issues from what I understand. They're having an issue trying to roll out," he said.
"But let's see what we can do in Canterbury to roll it out because we've been promising our communities this for nearly two or three years.
"I know the programme's been in the woodworks for about seven years.
"Let's get it out there."
Swiggs said it was really up to the technology provider behind the project to get it across the finish line.
"They need to deliver a product that is robust enough for us to be able to roll out. The base functionality, from what I understand, is pretty robust. It is working."
He said a trial was already under way for the region's airport bus and hoped other features will be rolled out soon.
Swiggs said those involved in the project needed to be on the same page.
"I just think there needs to be better communication going on between all the parties involved so that we can get a really clear line of communication, know what's going on (and) tell people this is what's happening and get this thing off the ground."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Motorists urged to be cautious
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging motorists to slow down and take extreme care as icy conditions are expected to persist this week on state highways in the South Island's Mackenzie Basin. A combination of freezing temperatures, fog, hoar frosts and black ice means challenging conditions for travel on State Highways 8 and 80 over the next few days, the biggest concern being drivers not adapting to the conditions. In a statement, NZTA system manager Mark Pinner said "On SH8 in particular, there are many sheltered areas where build-up of ice is a major concern." Mr Pinner said bridge surfaces could cool quickly, and re-freezing could even occur in the late morning. "We've already had reports of people driving too fast for the conditions and truck and trailer units fishtailing. We also know it's going to get busier later in the week, as we get closer to the long holiday weekend for Matariki. Reducing speed is the biggest thing drivers can do to keep themselves safe and to help keep the highways open." "One of the measures we are employing to slow traffic down are temporary speed limits which can be employed on parts of the highway network that are most at risk." The temporary speed limit of 50kmh had been put into effect on State Highway 8 at sites like each side of Lake Tekapo township, and near the Tekapo Military Camp, the Tekapo Flyover (over the Tekapo Canal) and Simons Pass. Mr Pinner said "This is not our usual approach, but the nature of the conditions forecast for this week means we need to use every tool we can to keep people safe on the roads." "Our typical de-icing agents are at the extreme range of where they aren't as effective, and while we are gritting the roads, driving to conditions is a key part of keeping road access safe also." "If the conditions warrant it, we will close the highway, most likely overnight and through the high-risk early morning period. People need to plan ahead if they are travelling in the area — keep an eye on our Journey Planner site." These precautions came after last week's closures of State Highway 8 in the Mackenzie Basin. He said at the time: "With the snow continuing to fall and roads becoming extremely icy at nights, our teams made good calls to do some overnight closures between Fairlie and Twizel in recent days." Mr Pinner said, "While we know these closures can be disruptive for some, I have no doubt that those decisions helped to prevent accidents and stranding of vehicles that could have led to much longer closures and even greater disruption. We know this because we have already had to deal with stranded and crashed vehicles in the last week, as people were caught out by the weather and road conditions." He said: "Preventing travel when the risk is at its highest also means less risk posed to emergency services that get called in to help when something goes wrong." "Closing down the highway overnight enabled our crews to work around the clock safely, to remove snow and de-ice, grit the roads, and then to lead vehicle convoys at controlled speeds through the affected stretch of highway to allow reopening." "Our crews have done some outstanding work on SH8 and other South Island highways over the last week to minimise the impacts on motorists and residents." Key considerations for winter driving include adjusting speeds to suit the conditions, being visible, increasing following distances on slippery roads and avoiding sudden braking or turning movements. "Winter has only just begun and we know there will be plenty more weather events to deal with. If everyone plays their part, then it makes life easier for all of us." More winter driving advice could be accessed at — APL
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Reminder Of Upcoming Lane Closure - SH1 Otaika Road, Whangārei
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is reminding people travelling around Whangārei that on Sunday 29 June the northbound lane on SH1 Otaika Road between Rewa Rewa Road and Maunu Road will be closed for essential power pole maintenance. The northbound detour will be in place between 7am and 4pm, with more information here. People can also contact Northpower directly on 0800 10 40 40. People are asked to follow the marked detour routes and expect delays during this time. Detour route for SH1 northbound: 1. Turn right into Rewa Rewa Road/Kioreroa Road 2. Turn left onto Port Road/Okara Drive 3. Turn left onto Porowini Avenue 4. Turn left onto Maunu Road before joining SH1 Otaika Road. The detour route will add approximately eight minutes to peoples' journey. Important note for Heavy Vehicles (HPMV) The detour route is not approved for HPMV. HPMV will be parked and grouped together, and escorted through the closure approximately every 20 minutes, as required. Please take care when travelling through the site and watch out for crews working. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the directions of traffic management staff and signs. People are urged to plan ahead and use the NZTA Journey Planner for real time traffic information.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Taking The Handbrake Off Productivity Through Transport Rule Reform
Minister of Transport The Government is progressing a bold work programme to increase productivity and efficiency through comprehensively reforming New Zealand's land transport rules, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. 'Land transport rules set out how different sectors of the transport industry must operate. They impact all road users - from the suburban mum or dad who has to get a Warrant of Fitness every year no matter how new or well-maintained their car, to the truckies who've been loaded up with compliance costs due to rules long since made redundant through advances in technology,' says Mr Bishop. 'Right now the rules system is overly cumbersome to update and creates a substantial administrative burden for New Zealand businesses trying their best to operate safely, legally and efficiently. 'The rules are full of nonsensical or outdated requirements. For example, the Road User Rule doesn't currently permit e-scooters to use cycle lanes or young children to ride their bikes on the footpath. Several rules require hard copy letters to be posted instead of sending emails, which last year alone resulted in 14 million hard copy letters, reminders, and labels being posted at a cost to the taxpayer of $16.8 million. While some of these letters will still need to be printed and posted, the rules reform programme will make it possible for many of these services to be modernised. 'Earlier this year, I started work to update one of the land transport rules by consulting on proposals to reduce how often private motorhomes and vintage cars and motorcycles need to renew their Warrant of Fitness (WOF) or Certificate of Fitness (COF). 'Now we're taking that same common-sense approach to other transport rules through a comprehensive programme of work to reform and update them, with most decisions expected to be made over the next 18 months.' The Land Transport Rules Reform Programme includes seven streams of work: Reducing the frequency of vintage vehicle and motorhome WOF and COF inspections, as previously announced. Considering additional safety requirements for vehicle imports including a possible phased introduction. Reviewing WOF/COF frequency and inspection requirements for light vehicles. Simplifying heavy vehicle driver licencing, weight thresholds, and freight permitting to improve efficiency and productivity for the freight sector. Enabling digital driver licences and, digital alternatives to WOF/COF/rego stickers, allowing NZTA to electronically collect, store and send regulatory notices, enabling online theory tests, and simplifying identification requirements for NZTA customers. Improving lane use and use of traffic control devices, and minor system improvements, which will include enabling e-scooters in cycle lanes and children to ride bikes on footpaths, minimum overtaking gaps when passing cyclists, horses etc, and requiring vehicles to give way to buses exiting bus stops. Overhauling the vehicle regulatory system to make it more efficient, effective and adaptable, including simplifying and refocusing import requirements and streamlining recognition of overseas standards. 'The work delivers on commitments in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport and the Road Safety Objectives document to review the vehicle regulatory system to improve safety, reduce regulatory burden, and ensure our domestic rules are fit for purpose, investigate our warrant of fitness system to more effectively and efficiently target risk, and investigate new safety requirements for vehicles entering the fleet', says Mr Bishop. 'The programme includes some longer-term pieces of work that will not be complete within the 18 months, such as overhauling the vehicle regulatory system to reduce complexity and better align with other jurisdictions' requirements. Another longer-term piece of work will be reviewing the Vehicle Dimension and Mass rule because requirements have not kept up with changes in the international automotive industry. 'Our Government wants to remove pointless inefficiencies – things that we do simply because we've always done it that way. It's not good enough to force New Zealand businesses to comply with outdated rules simply because it's too hard to update them. Removing or updating rules that are no longer relevant and that have little real benefit will mean we can focus on driving our economy forward.' Notes: A fact sheet laying out the Land Transport Rules Reform Programme is here. Public Consultation: Public consultation will begin in October 2025 on: Additional safety requirements for imports Changes to WOF and COF inspection requirements and frequency for light vehicles, and Changes to freight permitting requirements. This is expected to be followed by consultation in early 2026 on: Possible changes to licence weight thresholds Enabling a digital driver licence, digital documents, and e-servicing Improving lane use and use of traffic control devices. Initial consultation on overhauling the vehicle regulatory system is planned for mid-2026.
