Motu Move is live!
You can now tag on with Motu Move — a new contactless way to pay on all Metro buses and ferries across Greater Christchurch (Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri).
Need to know
Pay your fare with a debit or credit card
Contactless debit/credit cards and digital wallets such as Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted on all Metro buses and ferries in Greater Christchurch. This is an extra way to pay — you can still use your Metrocard, cash, or SuperGold card as usual.
Same as an adult Metrocard fare
Contactless payments cost the same as a standard Metro fare — $3 for buses / $5 for ferries.
Don’t pay a standard fare? Keep paying how you normally would.
If you pay a child, youth, Total Mobility concession or Community Services Card fare, keep using your Metrocard to receive your concession.
SuperGold card holders should continue to present their card during free-travel times, and cash fares are still accepted.
No transaction fees
There are no extra charges when you pay contactless. Some customers may notice a temporary $0.10 pre-authorisation on their account after tagging on — this is just to verify your card and will be replaced overnight when your total fare is calculated.
No tag-off yet
For now, Motu Move devices are installed only at the front doors of buses and ferries. Tag-off will be introduced in a later phase, and we’ll let customers know before any changes happen.
Daily fare caps and transfers apply
You’ll still get the same great value as with your Metrocard — daily caps and free transfers between services apply. Make sure you tag on with the same card or digital wallet each time to get the best fares.
Fares are charged overnight
Motu Move automatically calculates the best fare for your day’s travel and charges it overnight. You won’t see the payment come out of your account immediately after tagging on — it’s processed later, once all your trips for the day have been completed.
This is just the first phase of Motu Move — more features, like tag-on/tag-off and the new Motu Move card, are coming in future phases.
Find out more about Contactless Payments.
Read more about what’s changing below:
- Future phases
- Canterbury leads the way
- Why are things changing?
- We'll be there to help you
- FAQs and more information
Future phases
This is just the beginning for Motu Move. More features will be introduced in 2026 as the system continues to roll out across Canterbury and beyond.
Upcoming phases will include:
- Tag-on/tag-off to ensure the right fare for every trip
- The new Motu Move card for prepaid travel
- Concessions built into the system, so eligible customers can tag on and have their discount applied automatically
Metrocard, SuperGold and cash will continue to be accepted until all new payment options are live.
We’ll share more details — including dates and what to expect — as each phase is confirmed.
Timaru and Temuka will follow after Greater Christchurch.
See our FAQs for more on concessions, Metrocards, and future phases.
Canterbury leads the way
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 payment methods that customers can use for all public transport across New Zealand.
Canterbury was one of the first regions in the country to introduce contactless transport cards on buses and ferries with Metrocard more than 20 years ago. Now it’s time to lead the way again with Motu Move, beginning right here in Greater Christchurch.
Why are things changing?
Motu Move will make paying for public transport simpler and more consistent across New Zealand, giving customers more choice and flexibility.
In time, one system will work across all participating regions, replacing the need for separate cards. As new features like tag-on/tag-off are introduced, we’ll also be able to improve services by better understanding how people travel.
We’ll be there to help you
You don’t need to do anything yet. We’ll let you know well ahead of time if you need to take action. Our Motu Move ambassadors will also be out and about to help customers when the new system launches, and our Metroinfo team will be available if you have questions.
FAQs and more information
See our FAQs for details about concessions, Metrocards, and future phases.
Visit the NZTA website to find out more about Motu Move and the National Ticketing Solution programme.
Canterbury is proud to be leading the way with Motu Move, and we’ll make sure you’re supported every step of the journey.