Fares and payment
How fares are calculated
Most bus cash fares are charged on the distance you wish to travel. Distance based stage points are used to calculate the fare charged. Stage points are set at specific points along a bus route, approximately every four kilometres, often at a point of interest such as a local shopping centre.
If your journey travels across a stage point then the fare increases. For instance if you were to make a journey from Manukau City to central Auckland City, you pass through stage points at Hunters Corner, Otahuhu, the Harp of Erin and Newmarket. Therefore you travel 5 stages.
You can also purchase a range of passes and 10 ride tickets, depending on the bus operator. These can be purchased from ticket agents as well as on the bus.
Paying your fare
When boarding the bus, have your fare ready to give to the bus driver. All buses accept cash for payment of fares. Exact change is appreciated but small notes can usually be accepted, and change given.
Most transport operators have smart cards, which can also be used to obtain discounts on cash fares. Depending on the type of card, you either insert the Smartcard directly into the driver's ticket machine or place it on the reader on the top of the machine as you board - make sure you take your card back when the ticket is issued.
If a concessionary fare is requested, the appropriate ID card must be shown. Please take the ticket printed from the machine and keep it for your entire journey.
