Bus fare payments go low-tech
A bus company has come up with a low-tech, honesty-based payment system following Wellington’s transport shake-up.
The Bus Now – Pay Later system will have New Zealand Coach Services’ (NCS) drivers jotting down specially-issued ID numbers into a notebook on the Hutt Valley commuter buses. The company will then send out a fortnightly bill to customers.
The Lower Hutt-based company was using the Snapper system when it picked up the Wainuiomata, Stokes Valley and Upper Hutt express services in June. The services had previously been run by NZ Bus.
However NCS national manager Jim Petrie said the company decided to stop using third-party payment systems.
‘‘Using third-party systems is never free and any cost would have been passed on to passengers,’’ Petrie said.
At the end of August, the company replaced Snapper with 10-trip tickets and monthly passes but quickly realised the $70 to $75 cost of the 10 trips was a barrier to some users.
‘‘If budget is an issue, it means you can go payday-to-payday without having to worry.’’
The scheme covers buses on the privately-run 80, 90, 92 and 93 routes, which are not Greater Wellington Regional Council contract routes.
Customers would have to fill in an online form on the NCS website and would be sent an ID number.
The number would be shown to the driver and be noted whenever a customer boarded a service. Customer use would be tallied up and they would receive a fortnightly invoice by email and pay by bank transfer.
Petrie said the system relied on honesty and trusted customers would see the value in the services, and continue to use them. Cash, 10-trips and monthly passes could still be used.
Petrie said NCS was a local company that understood the importance of the transfer-free commuter routes – which terminate in Courtenay Place – to the Hutt community. NCS had taken on several new drivers and bought extra buses.
The scheme has been rolled out on the Wainuiomata services – which include Petone – and would be available in Stokes Valley, Te Marua and Timberlea from next week.
NCS will continue to operate the routes as long as they remain sustainable.