From 1 October 2008, Environment Canterbury and other councils around the country are being funded to provide holders of SuperGold Cards with free travel on off-peak public transport services across New Zealand.

SuperGold card holders can travel on off-peak Metro bus and ferry services in Christchurch and Timaru for free. Simply present your SuperGold card to the driver or skipper.

Weekday off-peak travel is between 9am and 3pm, and after 6:30pm until the end of service. Off-peak also applies to all day weekend and public holiday services.

Call Metroinfo on 03-3 66 88 55 (Christchurch) or 03-6 88 55 44 (Timaru) if you are unsure if a particular service is part of the off-peak period.

A: The SuperGold Card was launched in August 2007, and provides NZ senior citizens access to business discounts, government and local authority services, entitlements and concessions. It replaces both the Community Services Card and NZ Super Card currently issued to New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension recipients. The cards, which are issued for free by the Ministry of Social Development, are the same size and shape as a typical credit card with the cardholder's name on the front. Most cards will not have a photo as this is an optional feature that the card holder decides upon.

A: The SuperGold Card is available to all eligible New Zealand residents aged 65 years or over and those under 65 who receive the New Zealand Superannuation or the Veteran's Pension.

A: Eligible people can apply for a card at any Work and Income Service Centre or contact the SuperGold Card Centre on 0800 25 45 65 or e-mail info@supergold.govt.nz or download a copy of an application form at www.supergold.govt.nz.

A: All scheduled off-peak Metro bus and Diamond Harbour ferry services from 1 October 2008. This includes the 10 (Cashmere-Harewood & Airport) and 29 (City Flyer) Metro services in Christchurch and the specified InterCity services that carry Metro passengers between Timaru and Temuka.

A: Any travel between 9am and 3pm and after 6:30pm until end of service on weekdays, and any time on weekends and public holidays.

A: No, at this stage the scheme only applies to urban public transport Metro services in Christchurch and Timaru.

They only need to show their SuperGold Card. No other identification is required unless misuse of the SuperGold Card is suspected. Free travel will not be provided to people who do not have their SuperGold Card on them.

A: No. This policy is only for New Zealand residents who hold a SuperGold Card.

A: In Budget 2008 Government announced $72 million in funding over the next four years ($18m per year) to provide free off-peak travel for SuperGold Card holders.

A: The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is the lead government agency for this scheme with support from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). Regional councils are responsible for delivering the services in their respective regions.

A: No. The SuperGold Card concessions apply to scheduled off-peak public transport services only.

A: While there are some SuperGold Card holders with a disability who are unable to use conventional scheduled public transport, most of the urban bus fleet have super-low floors and are wheelchair accessible.