Latest news with #MotuMove
Techday NZ
3 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
National Motu Move public transport card rollout faces major delay
The nationwide launch of Motu Move, New Zealand's new public transport card system, has been delayed again, with no fresh rollout date set and mounting frustration from commuters and local leaders alike. The introduction of Motu Move—billed as a game-changer for public transport users—was meant to bring New Zealand's buses, trains and ferries under one easy payment system. Instead, the project has run into fresh complications, and the first stage of the rollout in Timaru and Temuka has missed its mid-2025 target. This latest setback leaves the system's full introduction across the country in limbo. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, which oversees the programme, confirmed the delay in a statement this week. Officials blamed the slip on "challenges with the delivery of the more complex components" of the new system, particularly integrating various fare concessions and ensuring seamless payment for passengers no matter where they travel in New Zealand. The agency said it is working on a revised plan for Canterbury—the first region set to receive Motu Move—while also reviewing the entire national rollout schedule. An updated timetable is expected in August. Minister expresses frustration Transport Minister Chris Bishop did not mince words about his concern over the delay, telling Parliament's Transport and Infrastructure Committee he is "worried" about the project and has recently summoned the National Ticketing Solution governance group for urgent talks. "It is not on track at the moment," Bishop said. "I have made it clear to those overseeing the rollout that this is a government priority and that we need to see clear progress. No options are off the table." An external, independent review is now underway to diagnose what has gone wrong and what it will take to get Motu Move back on track. Bishop says he expects to receive a new delivery plan by the end of July. "New Zealanders deserve a system that is simple, reliable and available across the country. We have invested a significant amount of money and time into this, so I have encouraged the governance group to exercise strong leadership to get things moving again," he said. Frustration at the local level In Canterbury, where local authorities had been preparing for Motu Move's launch in Timaru, patience is wearing thin. Deon Swiggs, Deputy Chair of Environment Canterbury and a key advocate for the project, said the delay is "definitely frustrating". "We've been promised a modern, unified ticketing system for several years now," Swiggs said. "The principle of Motu Move is fantastic—whether you're in Christchurch, Wellington, or Auckland, you should be able to just tap on with your phone or card and travel seamlessly. But we need a clear and realistic timeline." Environment Canterbury had initially hoped to pilot Motu Move in Timaru as early as late 2024, before that deadline was pushed to early 2025 and then again to July. The region has already trialled contactless debit and credit card payments on Christchurch's airport bus route, and Swiggs hopes those lessons will make the transition smoother. He says the core payment technology appears robust, but integrating all the regional fare concessions, discounts and transfer rules is proving more complex than anticipated. "They need to deliver a product that is robust enough for us to roll out to the public. Communication needs to improve, too, so that everyone—councils, operators, and especially passengers—know what to expect," he said. A long-running and costly project Motu Move, officially known as the National Ticketing Solution, is one of New Zealand's most ambitious public transport projects. The idea of a unified transit card has been floating around for well over a decade. More than $146 million has been spent since 2018 developing the system, with total costs expected to reach around $1.3 billion over the next 15 years. The new system is supposed to allow people to pay for all major public transport services—whether bus, train or ferry—with a single card or by using their credit/debit card or smartphone. The plan is to phase out regional cards like Snapper, Metrocard and Bee Card, making it much easier for people to travel around the country, especially for those who travel between cities. However, deadlines have repeatedly slipped. Canterbury's launch was first targeted for December 2024, then early 2025, then July, and now there is no clear date in sight. Rollouts for Wellington, Auckland and other regions have also been pushed back. Looking ahead Despite the setbacks, both central and local government leaders remain committed to seeing Motu Move delivered. Bishop said funding is not the issue, pointing instead to technology and delivery challenges that need fixing. Waka Kotahi says it is exploring "alternative delivery approaches", such as rolling out some Motu Move features in phases. For now, however, the existing regional cards remain in use and Kiwis hoping for a one-card-for-all solution will need to wait a little longer. "We all want this to happen," Swiggs said. "It's about getting it right for the long term."
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Public transport tag ticketing system 'not on track'
By Nick James of RNZ "No options are off the table" to get the National Ticketing Solution back on track, the Transport Minister says. There has been $1.4 billion set aside for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi project named Motu Move that would allow commuters to easily tag onto public transport anywhere nationwide. It had been beset with delays and councils covering regions, such as Wellington and Auckland, have raised concerns about the project. NZTA Waka Kotahi planned to announce a delayed rollout plan for the National Ticketing Solution for areas outside of Canterbury where it was being trialled. That was expected to be announced in August. At Tuesday's transport and infrastructure committee meeting Transport Minister Chris Bishop said he was "worried" about the project. "I had the governance group in my office ten days or so ago and made it really clear to them that it is a government priority to get the project back on track. "It is not on track at the moment." Bishop said an external review of the project was underway and would deliver a plan to the government at the end of July. He said the outcomes of that would be considered. "No options are off the table in terms of anything we need to do to bring the project back on track." Bishop said that part of the "challenge" for the project was that public transport authorities were pushing to retain their fare concessions. "There are really niche, bespoke concessions arrangements in some PTAs (public transport authorities)." All of that raised cost and time, Bishop said. He said the other problem was the governance group. "The way it's structured is you know unless everyone agrees nothing moves forward." Bishop said the project did not have a money issue, but instead faced technology, delivery and governance issues. "There's plenty of money there." Once he considered the plan set to be finalised in July he would make public announcements about next steps for the project. NZTA Waka Kotahi said the independent review would provide further information on the project's challenges of delivery, assurance of the planned implementation, and ensure the programme was set up and supported for the successful rollout of the National Ticketing Solution across New Zealand. US transport-defence contractor Cubic has been delivering the project under a near-$500m contract, but it had previously had capacity problems and missed deadlines.
RNZ News
17-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Nationwide public transport ticketing system 'not on track', minister says
The Motu Move project has been beset with delays. File picture. Photo: 123RF "No options are off the table" to get the National Ticketing Solution back on track, the Transport Minister says. There has been $1.4 billion set aside for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi project named Motu Move that would allow commuters to easily tag onto public transport anywhere nationwide. It had been beset with delays and councils covering regions such as Wellington and Auckland have raised concerns about the project. NZTA Waka Kotahi planned to announce a delayed rollout plan for the National Ticketing Solution for areas outside of Canterbury where it was being trialled. That was expected to be announced in August. At Tuesday's transport and infrastructure committee meeting Transport Minister Chris Bishop said he was "worried" about the project. "I had the governance group in my office ten days or so ago and made it really clear to them that it is a government priority to get the project back on track. "It is not on track at the moment." Bishop said an external review of the project was underway and would deliver a plan to the government at the end of July. He said the outcomes of that would be considered. "No options are off the table in terms of anything we need to do to bring the project back on track." Bishop said that part of the "challenge" for the project was that public transport authorities were pushing to retain their fare concessions. "There are really niche, bespoke concessions arrangements in some PTAs (public transport authorities)." All of that raised cost and time, Bishop said. He said the other problem was the governance group. "The way it's structured is you know unless everyone agrees nothing moves forward." Bishop said the project did not have a money issue, but instead faced technology, delivery and governance issues. "There's plenty of money there." Once he considered the plan set to be finalised in July he would make public announcements about next steps for the project. NZTA Waka Kotahi said the independent review would provide further information on the project's challenges of delivery, assurance of the planned implementation, and ensure the programme was set up and supported for the successful rollout of the National Ticketing Solution across New Zealand. US transport-defence contractor Cubic has been delivering the project under a near-$500m contract, but it had previously had capacity problems and missed deadlines. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
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."
RNZ News
09-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Nationwide public transport ticketing system 'Motu Move' delayed again
Photo: 123RF Fresh delays have hit the roll-out of the the national public transport ticketing system. The 'Motu Move' project will replace all transit cards used on buses, trains and ferries around the country 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 meant to roll out in Timaru and Temuka by mid-2025, but that has been delayed, with no revised date offered by NZTA. Christchurch Councillor Dionne 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 underway 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." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
