Credit and debit card payments coming to Metro buses this year
Environment Canterbury media release: 9th September 2025
Metro customers in Greater Christchurch will soon have the option to board Metro buses and ferries using their debit or credit card when the first phase of Motu Move launches in November.
The new payment methods are the first part of a phased roll out of the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) which is beginning in Waitaha Canterbury. It uses the same technology which has been successfully piloted on Route 29 buses between Christchurch Airport and the CBD since December last year.
Standard fares and contactless options
From November, Metro customers in Christchurch, Waimakariri, and Selwyn can pay standard fares using contactless payment.
- Buses: $3 standard fare
- Ferries: $5 standard fare
- Accepted payment methods: debit/credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
Concessions and SuperGold
- Child and youth fares and Community Services Card holders must continue using a Metrocard.
- SuperGold card holders should keep presenting their card to the driver during SuperGold times.
Preparing for Motu Move devices
Motu Move devices will be installed on all Metro buses and ferries from 10 September as part of preparations but won’t be active until later in the year. Route 29, which is currently piloting the new ticketing system, will continue to accept contactless payments during this time.
Other features of Motu Move such as tagging off, Motu Move cards, and concessions will be introduced in future phases.
Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) Chair Craig Pauling said the new payment options are a positive step forward in the Motu Move project.
“It’s exciting to have Canterbury lead the way in rolling out the National Ticketing Solution, and we hope that this first step in Greater Christchurch will encourage more people to use public transport,” Chair Pauling said.
Stay informed about Motu Move
More details will be shared closer to the rollout date. You can get the latest updates on the Motu Move rollout on the:
Future phases of Motu Move
Environment Canterbury director of public transport Giles Southwell said a phased rollout of the solution will bring more accessible public transport to the Greater Christchurch network faster than waiting for all the parts to be in place.
“We know being able to get on a bus with a debit or credit card is something the public has been asking after for a long time. While the delays in the project have been disappointing, it will be great to finally make travelling on our network easier, especially for casual users and visitors who might not have a Metrocard.
“The new technology has been trialled on Route 29 between the airport and the city since December last year and has seen roughly 34 percent of adult fares paid for using the new contactless payments during that time. Fares are the same as a standard $3 Metrocard fare and there are no transaction fees.
“While Motu Move will ultimately replace our current ticketing system, this first phase will simply provide an additional way to pay alongside Metrocard and cash. We’ll be engaging with our customers early on through each phase of the rollout so that the transition to Motu Move is as smooth as possible.”
Acknowledging Timaru and the change in plan
Chair Pauling said it’s important to acknowledge the work that’s already been done and that this is a change from the original plan, which had Timaru and Temuka scheduled to roll out Motu Move first.
“While having contactless payments across Greater Christchurch will be great, we realise that there will be some disappointment from the Timaru and Temuka community. While we had hoped Motu Move could launch first in these locations, some components of the system are taking longer than expected.”
The national programme looked at alternative ways to deliver Motu Move in Canterbury and has agreed to move forward with this phased approach in Greater Christchurch. Timaru customers already have credit card and debit card payments when using the MyWay app.
“We appreciate all the collaboration and commitment from our Timaru and Temuka partners. The groundwork that has already been laid there will still be used when Motu Move is implemented in South Canterbury,” said Chair Pauling.