A technological hiccup means Wellingtonians can now get free train fares - if they are willing to cheat.
Greater Wellington Regional Council chairperson Daran Ponter confirmed that train conductors had no way to verify whether people had paid using their debit cards - meaning fare dodgers could not scan on, not scan off, and get a free ride in the process.
On April 12, Wellington trains and buses moved to a system where people could swipe on and off with debit cards, credit cards, mobile devices or smart watches. It is in addition to Snapper cards, which people can still use.
It is a stop gap measure ahead of a national ticketing solution, called Motu Move, which is long-delayed and now being rolled out in the first half of 2027.
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Conductors are able to check if a fare has been paid on Snapper cards, but not on other cards or digital devices. Ponter said the problem with checking debit card payments was known before the roll-out, but authorities hoped an “honesty-based” system would make it a non-issue.
A solution was “imminent”, he said. That solution would mean people who scanned on using debit cards got a “token” issued to their card. Conductors could then scan the cards, or phones, to tell if the token was there.
This would not give access to other bank account details, he said.
Public Transport Users Association national coordinator Jon Reeves said he alerted a Greater Wellington Regional councillor to the issue about two weeks ago via Facebook.
He knew about it because Auckland Transport had the same issue.
“It is a bit of a concern as rate and tax payers will be ripped off by free riders.” A number of people were likely already getting free rides in Wellington, he said.
An Auckland Transport spokesperson confirmed the issue existed there when a debit card system came in November 2024, but technology arrived about a year ago to allow checks. Free riders only made up a “couple of percent” of all public transport users.
Buses and trains are currently paid for by fare-paying customers, ratepayers and taxpayers. The Government is though trying to reduce the amount that comes out of the public purse - a move that has been blamed for fare hikes.
Regional council transport committee chairperson Ros Connelly said the council had been hoping to get the validation system, an application used by conductors to check people had paid, in place before the roll-out but this was delayed.
In the meantime, extra staff were on site at the Wellington Railway Station checking people scanned on or off. She confirmed there was little staff could do if people claimed to have paid but had faith in people’s honesty.
“I think most people appreciate, if you don’t pay for the service we won’t be able to provide it,” she said.
Metlink group manager Samantha Gain said the organisation was working with Snapper on an app so train staff could check fares were paid but, due to delays in developing the technology, a new provider was found.
“Metlink expects the app to be available by end of May with potential for earlier trials,” she said.
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