Snapper banks on big change

Having to manually top up your Snapper card will soon be a thing of the past for Wellington bus users.

Electronic ticketing provider Snapper has been quietly holding a trial of an account-based payment system among its 50 or so staff since September, and is almost ready to roll the technology out to the public.

The new system will allow commuters to link their existing Snapper card to a bank account, which would then be charged directly for any bus fares accrued using the card.

Eventually, commuters will also be able to tag on and off buses using smartphones, bank cards or other supported technology.

They will also be able to top up their Snapper accounts using bank accounts or cards, mobile devices, or other electronic payment services.

Snapper chief executive Miki Szikszai said the pilot project would be extended to 1000 existing customers between July and September, with a full rollout expected before the end of the year.

‘‘We expect that to follow reasonably quickly.’’

Manual top-up kiosks and dairy topup services will remain for those who want to use them, but the new system means that will no longer be necessary.

For those using the service, transactions will be tallied up and charged to their nominated bank account at the end of each day.

‘‘The key thing for passengers is removing the function of managing their transport on a daily basis, and removing the pain of reloading,’’ Szikszai said.

The company also plans to launch an iPhone app before the end of the year, to accompany the Android app that is already available.

The apps will be able to send notifications to people who appear to have forgotten to swipe off a bus (based on previous travel) and allow them to retrospectively enter a departure stop.

This saves them being charged the maximum fare amount.

Greater Wellington Regional Council said its officers had been kept up to date with the company’s plans and progress, and would welcome the new technology.

Sustainable transport committee chairwoman Barbara Donaldson said while the council’s priority was the major bus network changes being rolled out from July, the account-based system would improve the region’s bus services.

‘‘With the roll out of Snapper on all bus services across the region [from July], it comes at a very welcome time.’’

The council plans to introduce a onecard system for all of the region’s buses, ferries and trains by 2020-21, but has yet to decide on the technology to be used or who will provide it.

Szikszai did not want to speculate on whether Snapper might be given the responsibility.

‘‘We’re supportive of what the council is trying to do. They’ve got to run a process as well. But this is a pretty good indication of what customers should be able to expect.’’

There are only about 20 other cities using account-based ticketing.

‘‘The key thing for passengers is removing the function of managing their transport on a daily basis, and removing the pain of reloading.’’

Snapper chief executive Miki Szikszai