Greater Wellington Regional Council has welcomed an independent review into the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) and says it is eager to see progress on rolling out the system in the Wellington region.
The NTS programme aims to unify ticketing systems across New Zealand’s public transport networks, allowing passengers to pay with a single method nationwide. An independent review found the initiative had faced challenges integrating a wide range of regional requirements into one technical solution. In response, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has adopted a more manageable, incremental release strategy.
Councillor Daran Ponter, chair of Greater Wellington, acknowledged the programme’s complexity but stressed the urgency for Wellington commuters.
“Replacing four different systems across the country with one that works for everyone isn’t easy,” Ponter said. “However, we’ve made it clear to the Minister of Transport that the Wellington Region is facing real pressures as time goes on.”
The NTS is currently rolling out in Canterbury, with Wellington next in line. Councillor Thomas Nash, chair of the council’s Transport Committee, said Greater Wellington remains committed to working alongside NZTA on a seamless implementation.
“In the meantime, we’re actively exploring ways to bring improved functionality to our customers sooner,” Nash said. “Passengers have been waiting a long time to pay with credit and debit cards, and we’re working with NZTA and our current provider to make that happen.”
The new system is expected to significantly streamline travel for public transport users across New Zealand, starting with regional launches before reaching the capital.