On this page:
- Register your Metrocard
- Checking your Metrocard balance
- Topping up your Metrocard
- How to use your Metrocard
- Updating your Metrocard details
- Taking care of your Metrocard
Register your Metrocard
We encourage customers to register their card online. This allows you to easily manage your Metrocard, top up online, set up automatic top ups, and if for some reason you lose your card, you can transfer your money onto a new one.
Checking your Metrocard balance
You can check the balance of your Metrocard by:
- Going online to your Metrocard account or to the Metrocard page on our website.
- Going to a Metro Agent (find one here)
- Viewing it on the bus - after you swipe your card to get on the bus, your balance will be displayed on the machine
- Calling Metroinfo on 03 366 88 55
Topping up your Metrocard
Metrocard will be removed from our network later this year as we switch to Motu Move, our new ticketing and payments system. We recommend only topping up smaller amounts and running your balance down before choosing your new way to pay.
See our Motu Move page for more information.
Online
We recommend topping up online, through your online account as it saves you and others time when boarding and means you don't have to carry cash with you. You can also set up automatic top-ups for your Metrocard, when your credit drops under an amount you specify.
Online top-ups are generally available to use on your bus or ferry within one hour, however in some cases there can be delays. We recommend topping up before your balance runs out or the day before your next trip.
Please note that the amount you have just topped-up will continue to be flagged as ‘Pending’ in your Metrocard account until you next swipe your Metrocard.
In person
You can top up in person with a minimum of $5 and in multiples of $10 in these places:
- At the Metroinfo Counter at the Bus Interchange using cash or eftpos.
- At a Metro agent using eftpos. Find a Metro Agent here.
- With the driver onboard the bus using cash only. Please note that Motu Move cards cannot be topped up with cash onboard Metro services.
How to use your Metrocard
Place your Metrocard on the card reader when boarding the bus or ferry. It will deduct the fare and your new balance will then be displayed on the screen.
When the balance is below $5, the scanner displays a yellow light reminding you to top-up. You can set your Metrocard to automatically top-up through your online account.
Updating your Metrocard details
Please keep your Metrocard contact information up to date. This will ensure that you are receiving relevant service updates. Log in to your online account to see or change your details.
Taking care of your Metrocard
Like other electronic cards, your Metrocard has a magnetic strip that runs around the edges of the card. If the magnetic strip is damaged the card reader won’t be able to scan it.
To extend the life of your card we recommend you avoid:
- Bending or flexing your card.
- Punching holes in your card.
- Snapping your card.
- Flicking your card against objects.
- Dropping your card on a surface or the ground.
- Cutting your card.
- Peeling plastic from your card.