Canterbury will be the first region in Aotearoa to roll out the much anticipated new National Ticketing Solution, named Motu Move!
Motu Move is a national programme that will provide a range of easy-to-use payments methods that customers can use for all public transport across Aoteoroa New Zealand.
Canterbury was one of the first regions in New Zealand to roll out contactless transport cards on our public transport with Metrocard more than 20 years ago. Now it’s time for Canterbury to lead the way again, as the first to roll out Motu Move!
More ways to pay
Motu Move will give customers more options when paying for public transport:
- Contactless debit or credit cards
- Digital payments on mobile phones and smart watches (including Apple Pay and Google Pay)
- A prepaid Motu Move card that will work similar to the current Metrocard
MyWay customers will still use the MyWay by Metro app to pay for MyWay if you choose to.
Following a decision by Council last year, cash will no longer be accepted on Canterbury’s public transport once the new system goes live. Customers can continue to use cash on Metro services until the launch of the Motu Move.
Learn more about the decision to remove cash payments, and what the Motu Move alternatives will be in the Metro decision to go cashless section.
When is it coming?
Timaru will be the first to get Motu Move, beginning with MyWay by Metro services in December. This will be followed by Timaru Metro school buses and the Temuka service in January 2025.
Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri will transition to the new ticketing system as soon as possible in 2025. For more information on Motu Move in these regions, see our Greater Christchurch Metro Page.
We will have more details for you in the coming months. For now, please continue to board and pay for your MyWay and Metro services as you currently do. You can of course still order new and replacement Metrocards through our usual channels.
Motu Move in Timaru
The technology of the MyWay by Metro system means many of you are already used to paying for public transport with your credit or debit card. You will still use the MyWay by Metro app to pay for MyWay if you choose to.
Our Temuka service and Timaru Metro School Bus services (T1, T2 and T3) will use Motu Move from January next year. Customers using those services will be able to pay with contactless debit or credit cards as well as digital payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
For people without these payment methods, prepaid Motu Move cards will be available later this year and can be topped up online or at a network of retailers.
As this project progresses, we'll be providing more information and support for customers to switch from Metrocard or cash payments to Motu Move.
Tagging off
Except on MyWay vehicles, you’ll tag off when you finish your journey using Motu Move. Tagging off is common on public transport in the rest of New Zealand and around the world. It ensures the correct payment for your journey and provides accurate data about how people are using public transport, to help us plan our services.
Tagging off won’t be required on MyWay trips because trip data is collected at the point of booking.
Metrocards
Metrocards will no longer work after Motu Move has launched.
You will instead be able to switch to using other payment methods such as a contactless credit or debit card or the new prepaid Motu Move card.
You will be able to receive a refund for any balance remaining on your Metrocard and more information will be released about this closer to the launch. We will make sure everyone knows about any actions they need to take well in advance.
Metro decision to go cashless
In 2023, Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) approved a recommendation to remove cash from the Metro and MyWay by Metro network when the National Ticketing Solution is implemented. This means that cash will no longer be accepted on public transport in Canterbury when the new ticketing system is launched.
This is part of a network safety project and with the increase of on-bus safety incidents, Metro operators have advocated removing cash from the network from a staff safety and overall welfare perspective.
Tickets will be able to be pre-purchased with cash from the Timaru Information Centre, and you will be able to get or top up a prepaid Motu Move card with cash at the information centre or through an extended network of retail outlets. More information and support on payment options for customers that prefer to pay with cash will be provided closer to launch.
Customers can continue to use cash until the launch of Motu Move.
For more information see our press release, which followed the decision.
Other regions to follow
All other regions around New Zealand will follow in rolling out the new Motu Move system. Customers will then be able to use this single payment system on all public transport in all regions of New Zealand that have joined the NTS.
Find out more about Motu Move and the National Ticketing Solution programme on the NZTA website.
How is Motu Move funded?
The National Ticketing programme, Motu move, is being funded by the central government and led by New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. This includes funding for new infrastructure such as ticket readers on our buses and ferries.
More information
Check out the links below for more information about Motu Move and the National Ticketing Solution programme.