Motu Move will change how you pay for public transport across Aotearoa, offering easy-to-use payment options for travel.
Timaru and Temuka will be first to use Motu Move, with Christchurch, Selwyn, and Waimakariri following soon after.
The start date for Motu Move in Timaru and Temuka will be confirmed early in 2025.
Before Motu Move begins, you’ll need to choose how you’d like to pay for your trips and, if eligible, link any concessions to your payment method.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to do anything yet – we’ll provide all the information you need in the weeks before Motu Move launches.
More ways to pay
Motu Move will give customers more options when paying for public transport:
- Contactless debit/credit cards
- Digital wallets on mobile devices and smartwatches (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)
- Prepaid Motu Move cards (similar to Metrocard) that can be topped up online or at local retailers.
No transaction fees apply for contactless payments.
MyWay app: If you use standard adult and child fares, you’ll still be able to do this in the MyWay app. However, if you currently pay onboard using your Metrocard, or you have a concession, you’ll need to choose a new way to pay.
Concession fares remain, but some will require registration
- SuperGold Card: Free travel during off-peak hours.
- Community Services Card: Half-price travel.
To continue to use these discounted fares under Motu Move, you’ll need to apply for your concession to be added to your new chosen payment method. You’ll be able to do this online, over the phone or at a service centre.
Supergold Card holders: If you travel at a time when the free Supergold travel concession applies, you won’t be charged, and if you travel outside those times, you’ll be charged the non-concession fare.
For now, there’s nothing you need to do. More details will be shared closer to the launch.
MyWay app payment options
Travelling with a concession holder?
If you or your travel companions require a concession, you’ll each need to tag on with a Motu Move payment method (not in the MyWay app) when Motu Move starts.
This applies even if your SuperGold concession means you're travelling for free.
No more cash or Metrocards
Cash will no longer be accepted on vehicles in Canterbury once the new payment methods are available under Motu Move. This is to improve safety for both drivers and passengers.
You’ll be able to buy or top up a prepaid Motu Move card with cash at our service centre or authorised local retailers.
Metrocards will stop working in Timaru once Motu Move launches. Keep hold of your Metrocard for a while longer if you use it for travel in Christchurch.
When Motu Move goes live, you’ll be able to receive a refund of your remaining Metrocard balance. More details on how to request a refund will be provided closer to go live.
Prepaid Motu Move cards
We recognise that not everyone has a debit or credit card to use as a payment method. Don’t worry - prepaid Motu Move cards will be available online and from Motu Move retailers in Timaru.
We’re working with dairies and other retail outlets to make sure you’ll never be far from somewhere to buy or top up a Motu Move card.
- If you don’t want to, or can’t, use a contactless card, prepaid Motu Move cards will be widely available and will work similar to a Metrocard.
- Motu Move cards will cost $5, and can be topped up online, at the Timaru iSite, or at a Motu Move retailer.
- Children aged 5–18 with Metrocards, and Community Services Card holders, are eligible for one free Motu Move card if they can’t or choose not to use a debit or credit card. Details on how to receive your new card, if you choose to use one, will be shared before launch.
Will fares change?
There are no fare changes due to Motu Move, but fares are currently under review by Environment Canterbury. For more information on our current fares please see our Fares page.
Tagging off
You’ll need to tag off at the end of your trip on school and Temuka services. This will help improve transport planning by providing accurate journey data. If you forget to tag off you may be charged a higher fare, but you can correct this online, over the phone, or by visiting the service centre.
There will be no need to tag off on MyWay services. When you book a trip using the MyWay app or over the phone, you destination is already included in this booking.
What’s next?
Testing the system
From 8 December 2024, we’re piloting contactless payments on Christchurch’s Route 29 (Airport–City). This will allow payment by debit/credit card, digital wallet, or Metrocard for standard adult fares.
You’ll still be able to use your Metrocard or cash during the pilot. If you have a concession, or if you want to transfer between services, you should keep using your Metrocard.
Read more about the Route 29 pilot
More information coming
We understand you will have other questions about Motu Move and what it means for you. We will have more information available in the coming weeks.
For now, please continue to board and pay for your MyWay and Metro services as you currently do.