Give Public Transport a Go!

With fuel prices rising and growing focus on reducing our carbon footprint, it’s a great time to try public transport. I use it as my main mode of transport and while it’s not perfect, I prefer it to driving in traffic. Instead of getting frustrated, I take the time to listen to music, catch up on my emails, and even do some work. While you need to plan ahead a little more, I find not needing to rely on a car extremely freeing – no more worry about parking or if I can have a drink. I’ve been using public transport since intermediate and it’s improved dramatically!

We have an integrated ticking system which allows you to use buses, trains, and ferries without needing different tickets. You can tag on/off using your credit/debit card (which is super handy) but I strongly encourage you get an AT Hop card. Register it with AT so you can set up auto-top up when it reaches a minimum amount and if you lose it, you can cancel and transfer any remaining funds.

We have a good mobile app that will guide on through your journey. If you’re not sure how to get somewhere, the journey planner will create your own itinerary, including cost, timing and any walking that might be required. You can filter based on transport mode or adjust the walking distances it suggests to suit your needs. Every bus, train and ferry has a GPS tracker so it tells you when it’s approaching and gives you real-time information. You can now share your journey with friends and whānau, helping you keep safe and let others know when you’re arriving.

We have a $50 fare cap which means you’ll never pay more per week – once you hit it, travel is free! Plus many people are eligible for discounts, including children, students, seniors, and Community Services cardholders, which can be added to an AT HOP card. Fares are based on how many zones you travel through, with a maximum of four zones.

We have modern, efficient vehicles - all of our trains and 25% of our bus fleet are electric, with more arriving soon. New electric and electric hybrid ferries will be introduced this year (including Half Moon Bay), building resilience across the fleet while providing a more enjoyable experience. Many buses have USB charging stations, and they all have air conditioning.

We have more reliable services with dedicated bus lanes, bus priority at key traffic lights, and increased frequency on busier routes. Major infrastructure projects like the CRL (opening 2026) and Eastern Busway (opening 2027) will deliver even better levels of service for Auckland. And in the meantime, AT is adding new services to respond to growing demand (especially in Flat Bush and Ormiston).

If you’ve never tried public transport or it’s been a while, give it go.

Find out more about using public transport in Auckland at www.at.govt.nz