Metrocard is the easy way for you travel on Metro.

The Metrocard does the thinking for you. Its state-of-the-art technology automatically deducts your fare when you board the bus. You don't have to think about having the right change. The card is $10.00 and you also have to load a minimum of $10 onto the Metrocard for it to work. Thereafter, you can top-up your card with a minimum of $10 and multiples of $10 (eg $10, $20, $30). You can purchase and top-up your card at:

• Central Station (Metro Info Kiosk 46-50 Lichfield St)
• CPIT (Student information desk, Registry building, Madras St)
• Hornby Library (Goulding Ave, Hornby)
• Lincoln University Students Association (Reception, Lister Building, Lincoln University)
• Lyttelton Library ( Main Issues Desk, 35-37 London Street, Lyttelton)
• Metro Office (37 Main North Rd, Papanui)
• New Brighton Library (Main Issues Desk, New Brighton Pier Building, 213 Marine Parade, New Brighton)
• Rangiora Library ( 141 Percival St, Rangiora)
• Rolleston Library (94 Rolleston Drive, Rolleston)
• Spreydon Library (Main Issues Desk, 266 Barrington Street)

Please note : CPIT, Hornby Library, Lincoln University, Lyttelton Library, New Brighton Library, Rangiora Library, Rolleston Library and Spreydron Library cannot issue replacement cards.

You can also top-up your Metrocard online by creating an account. Just follow this link, hit the "create account" button and follow the instructions. Once your account has been created, you can top-up your Metrocard by credit card or debit card though the website (Please note: it may take up to 12 hours for transactions to appear on your Metrocard).

You can use Metrocard on all Metro services including Red Bus, Leopard, Christchurch Bus Services, the Orbiter, Metrostar, Northern Star, Selwyn Star and the Diamond Harbour Ferry. It couldn't be easier to transfer from one Metro service to another. With the Metrocard you pay $2.30 adult per trip instead of the $3.20 cash adult fare.*
Use your Metrocard and you only get charged for a maximum of $4.60 per day even if you make 3 or more trips!

Here's what travel with the Metrocard costs:

• For $2.30, you receive two hours unlimited travel*
• For $4.60, you receive unlimited travel for one day*
• For $23, you will receive one calendar week unlimited travel (Monday to Sunday)*. Weekends are free, if you have spent $23 Monday to Friday*.

*Travel within Zone One. Here's what travel with the Metrocard costs if you're under-18:

• For $1.15, you receive two hours unlimited travel*
• For $2.30, you receive unlimited travel for one day*
• For $11.50, you will receive one calendar week unlimited travel (Monday to Sunday).* Weekends are free if you have spent $11.50 Monday to Friday.*

Some passengers may need to carry a photo ID showing their date of birth and proving that they are under 18. Approved IDs include CANDO cards, your passport or driver licence.

To purchase a child Metrocard, you will need to bring a copy of an ID which includes the child's date of birth - for example: a birth certificate. Children under-5 years-of-age, accompanied by a fare-paying passenger, can travel free-of-charge. Place your Metrocard on the reader machine and the balance will be displayed on the screen after your fare has been deducted. When the balance is below $5, the machine lights-up yellow reminding you to top-up your Metrocard. If your funds fall below $0, the machine will glow red and printout a receipt that states you can no longer travel on any Metro services until you top-up your card. You can top-up your Metrocard in $10 amounts (for example, $10, $20 or $30) as you board the bus, online, or at a metro agent. You can still pay cash fares on all Metro services. Adult cash fares will be $3.20 per trip* with only one transfer within two hours. Metrocard gives better value, since it costs $2.30 per trip* and you get unlimited transfers for two hours instead of just one transfer.

*Travel within Zone One.

Each card has its own unique number that will be registered to you, the cardholder, so that if you report your card as lost or stolen, then it will be cancelled and any remaining money transferred to your new card. A replacement card will cost you $10.00 and you can get one from either the Central Station Metro Info Kiosk (46 – 50 Lichfield St) or the Metro office (37 Main North Rd, Papanui, Christchurch). Please note other Metro agents CAN NOT issue replacement cards or transfer balances.