Infratil eager for national travel ticketing standard

Infratil is supporting a national standard for integrated transport ticketing, but says the standard will come in after it and councils have invested millions in building systems.

The Wellington owner of the Snapper ticketing and payment card system said in its latest investor update that the New Zealand Transport Agency was developing a national standard for integrated ticketing.

Infratil is confident that Snapper is flexible and open and says the system was provided without tax or ratepayer support.

"It can be noted that regional transport agencies have already spent well over $10 million of tax and ratepayer money on the development of Auckland and Canterbury's respective ticketing systems, so it is important that a national standard is developed soon," Infratil said in the update.

Environment Canterbury last year announced a $5.5 million investment in a German Innovations in Transportation system so people could load credit via the internet on its Metrocard, which can be used on buses and ferries in greater Christchurch and Timaru.

Environment Canterbury director of operations Ken Lawn said his organisation was aware of the development of a national standard and was not expecting problems in the short term.

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority has signed a contract with French firm Thales to deliver a multi-modal transport ticket for Auckland.

Public transport providers around the world have introduced electronic tickets that can be used on buses, ferries and trains to speed boarding times and make public transport more attractive to customers.

Infratil said the development of a national standard was strongly supported by Snapper as it would provide a platform for all interested parties to develop their payment systems.

"Our system is one we are very confident is open-plan," said Infratil executive Tim Brown. "Our model was one of maximising the range of different applications of the card."

Infratil's update notes that a Snapper trial with Reading Cinemas in Courtenay Place, Wellington, generated great interest. Cinema tickets purchased with a Snapper card attract a discount and are eligible for prizes.

The next stage may include transport-entertainment packages, bundling bus fares, zoo entrance and something from the zoo cafe.

There are now more than 100,000 Snapper cards issued.

The company is working with banks so that their Eftpos and Visa cards contain a Snapper capability.

It is also working on an agreement with supplier Korea Smart Card to add further functions, such as post paid cards and the ability to "reload" automatically from bank or credit card accounts.

- NZPA