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General Questions
Will I be charged a transaction fee if I pay with my debit or credit card?
No, there are no additional transaction fees.
Can I pay for another person by tagging on twice?
Contactless payments with a debit/credit card or digital wallet can only be used to pay for one person. Each person will need to have their own contactless payment method. Alternatively, you can still use Metrocard and cash to board.
What if I don’t have a debit or credit card?
Metrocard, cash, and SuperGold cards are still accepted on all public transport for now.
At a later stage, you’ll be able to buy a prepaid Motu Move card which functions similar to the current Metrocard. Customers will be able top up their Motu Move card online or using cash at the Bus Interchange, service centres, or selected retailers.
Metrocard will eventually be phased out, but we will let you know about any changes well in advance. For now, keep boarding public transport like you normally would!
Why will we need to tag off in the future?
Tagging off will ensure you’re charged the correct fare for your journey. It also gives Metro more accurate information about how services are used, which helps us improve routes and schedules.
We will let you know more information about tagging off well before it you need to do it.
Are fares and fare caps stay the same for contactless payments?
Fares remain the same, regardless of whether you choose to use your usual payment method or your debit, credit card or digital wallet.
Weekly and daily caps will apply as usual as long as the same payment method is used. For example, if you intend to transfer to another service, make sure you use the same card or the same digital payment method.
Is there any risk of my debit or credit card being charged accidentally, for example, through a wallet or pocket?
The Motu Move reader only processes a payment when your physical card or active digital wallet is held directly against the blue diamond on the validator. In our testing, it didn’t register when a card was simply nearby - you’d have to be quite deliberate for it to tag accidentally.
Can I scan my Metrocard on the new reader, or do I still need to use the one by the driver?
Motu Move readers are just for debit and credit cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. They don’t work with Metrocards. You’ll need to keep tagging on with your Metrocard using the machine near the driver, just as you do now.
When prepaid Motu Move cards are introduced in the future, they will use the new card readers.
Will the 2-hour transfer period still apply if I use my debit or credit card?
You can get up to two free transfers (excluding your original trip) when using contactless payments as long as you tag on with the same payment method. You’ll still get the same great value as you do with your Metrocard!
Concessions and payment methods
What about concessions (child, youth, Community Services Card, SuperGold, Total Mobility)?
Concessions will still be available via Metrocard until they are integrated into Motu Move in a later phase. SuperGold users can continue to show their card to the driver during SuperGold hours until Motu Move is fully in place.
Is SuperGold free travel still be available?
Yes. SuperGold card holders will continue to receive free travel during off-peak periods (any time after 9am), and all day on weekends and public holidays.
How will SuperGold work under the full rollout of Motu Move?
Eventually, you’ll need to link your SuperGold concession to your chosen payment method (debit/credit card or prepaid Motu Move card). Once set up, you’ll simply tag on and tag off, and your concession will be applied automatically during SuperGold times across all participating regions.
We will let you know in advance before these changes happen and will have teams at key location to help customers with this.
Can I still use cash?
Yes, cash will continue to be accepted until Motu Move is fully launched.
Once the last phase of Motu Move rolls out in Greater Christchurch, Metro will transition to a cashless network to improve safety and reliability. Customers will still be able to purchase or top up a prepaid Motu Move card using cash at the Bus Interchange, service centres, or selected retailers. For more information see our media release, which followed the decision.
What will happen to Metrocards?
You can keep using your Metrocard for now.
Metrocards will eventually be phased out in the later phases of the roll out in 2026. When this happens, you'll be able to use the new
You’ll be able to request a refund of any remaining balance — and we’ll let you know how to do this well in advance.
Motu Move rollout in Canterbury
How will I know when Motu Move is ready?
We’ll provide clear information well in advance of each rollout phase through the Metro website, social media, and onboard communications. Our Metroinfo team and Motu Move ambassadors will also be available to help customers during the transition.
Will the Motu Move prepaid card be able to be used on public transport all around NZ?
This is the final goal, but we have a journey ahead of us until Motu Move can be used all around Aotearoa. For more information about the national rollout visit motumove.govt.nz
Will it cost anything to get a new Motu Move card when Metrocards are replaced?
The standard price for the pre-paid Motu Move card will be $10. However certain groups within the community will be eligible for a free Motu Move card. We’ll share more details about this closer to the time.
What happens to the balance on my old Metrocard?
When Metrocards are replaced by the prepaid Motu Move card, you’ll be able to request a refund of any remaining Metrocard balance. Or you can keep using your Metrocard until your balance runs out before making the switch. There will be a period where both systems operate side-by-side to give everyone time to transition.
Why is Motu Move launching in Greater Christchurch first instead of Timaru?
Motu Move was originally scheduled to launch first in Timaru and Temuka. Some of the more complex parts of the system are taking longer than expected, so to avoid further delays the national programme will begin with a phased rollout in Greater Christchurch. This means customers there can benefit from debit/credit card payments sooner.
The benefit of this new approach is that Timaru customers will receive greater functionality of Motu Move from day one. We sincerely appreciate the collaboration and commitment from our local partners and community to date, and the groundwork to date will still be used when the rollout takes place in South Canterbury.
We will update the Timaru Motu Move page when we have more information.