Motu Move is now available on all bus and ferry services in Christchurch City, Selwyn and Waimakariri.
Customers can pay for standard adult non-concession fares with contactless debit or credit cards and devices, alongside the existing Metrocard and cash payment options.
Motu Move - Christchurch Phase 1 video transcript [XLSX, 12 KB]
If you currently use Metrocard to pay a standard adult non-concession fare, you can make the switch to Motu Move contactless payments now. You’ll pay the same price as your Metrocard.
If you currently pay cash for your adult standard non-concession fare, you’ll pay less if you choose to switch to contactless payment.
If you currently have a travel concession, continue to use your Metrocard on the normal Metrocard reader near the driver – we’ll let you know when concessions are added to Motu Move.
You can use Motu Move on all bus and ferry services in Christchurch City, Selwyn and Waimakariri.
CloseYou can now pay for public transport using your contactless debit or credit card and digital payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile phones and smart watches.
If you prefer to use your current Metrocard, you can board as you normally would by using the Metrocard reader by the driver or paying cash.
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.
It’s easy to tag onto the bus or ferry using contactless payment. Simply hold your card or device on the blue diamond on the Motu Move card reader briefly. If your payment is successful, the screen will display ‘GO’ and you’ll hear a positive sound from the reader.
You don’t need to tag off yet. Tag off will come in later stages of the Greater Christchurch roll out and we’ll let you know when you need to start tagging off.
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 or GooglePay.
Note: If you wish to use Apple Express Transit Mode, you will need to set this up in your device; Visa Debit cards are not currently supported by this function.
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.
CloseFor customers who normally pay a standard adult Metrocard fare, you will pay the same amount using contactless payments - $3 on the bus or $5 on the ferry.
Use the same card or device each time you travel on to make the most of the daily or weekly maximum fare (fare cap):
There are no surcharges or transaction fees to use contactless payments on Motu Move.
However, if you use MasterCard or American Express contactless payment options, you’ll have a 10-cent hold placed on your account the first time you use your card or device to pay for Motu Move. This will be removed overnight once the total day’s fare is calculated and deducted from your account.
Customers using debit or credit cards from overseas, may be charged currency conversion costs or other fees by their card provider.
Motu Move calculates daily and weekly fare caps and free transfers in the same way as Metrocard – and these will be applied automatically.
It’s important that you use the same contactless payment device every time you travel, so if you use your debit card, stick with it.
If you change your payment method or switch between devices, it could impact your fare cap and free transfer eligibility.
We won’t deduct fares from your card at the time of travel. One transaction for all your trips (including fare caps) will be charged overnight at approximately 4am. The transaction will show as Motu Move on your bank statement.
If you travel over the weekend or on a public holiday, the payment may take a few days to show on your bank statement, as the transaction will be pending, as often happens with other transactions.
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, or switch your contactless payment card or device on the same day, you may have multiple charges show on one day.
If there are charges that you're still unsure about, call the Motu Move Customer Care team on 0800 66 77 88.
CloseIf you try to tag on with your contactless payment card or device, and the screen displays ‘STOP’ and you hear an ‘unsuccessful’ sound from the reader, you will need to choose another method of payment, such as another contactless card or device, your Metrocard or cash.
Occasionally a contactless payment card will not be accepted for travel, even though it's been used before.
This could be because:
Payments are taken from your bank account overnight, following your travel. If we are unable to take payment from your bank account overnight, your card 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.
You can arrange a payment for an unpaid fare by calling the Motu Move Customer Care team on 0800 66 77 88. Once you’ve paid your unpaid fare, wait at least five minutes before travelling again.
CloseWe 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.
CloseTravel concessions are not currently available on Motu Move.
They will be available on Motu Move in the future and you’ll be able to link your concession fare to your contactless payment card or device, or to a prepaid Motu Move card.
We’ll let you know when concessions can be linked to Motu Move.
For now, you should keep using your Metrocard to make sure you still receive your travel concession.
A travel concession may be available when paying for public transport if customers are eligible. Concessions are not available when paying with cash.
In Canterbury, concessions apply to the following groups:
Concessions and discounts (Metro Christchurch)(external link)
CloseIf you are still using your Metrocard, continue to use the same Metrocard reader as always, located near the driver – your Metrocard won’t work on the Motu Move card reader.
Once we have completed rollout of Motu Move in Greater Christchurch, we will remove Metrocard as a payment option.
There will be a prepaid Motu Move transit card option in the future, which will replace Metrocard.
We’ll let you know when this will be available.
Once the Motu Move transit card is available, you’ll be able to order a card online or call our customer care team on 0800 66 77 88.
The card costs $10.
You’ll also be able to purchase a card from a local Motu Move retailer or through the Metro team at the bus interchange. You can top up your card at the same time or online.
Certain groups within the community will be eligible for a free Motu Move card. We’ll have more information about this closer to the time.
A free Motu Move card will be available for all Community Services Card holders. Free Motu Move card replacements will also be available for children under 19. We’ll let customers know well in advance of any upcoming changes, including how to apply for a free Motu Move card if you are eligible.
Once Metrocards are getting closer to being discontinued, you’ll be able to request a refund of any remaining balance. Or you could keep using your Metrocard until you've used up all your balance, before making the switch to the new system. There will be a time where we're running both systems in tandem.
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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