Snapper card
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| Location | Wellington, Auckland |
|---|---|
| Launched | June 2008 |
| Technology | Infineon, SmartMX from NXP Semiconductors |
| Manager | Snapper Services Limited |
| Currency | NZD ($300 maximum load) |
| Stored-value | Pay as you go |
| Auto recharge | Auto-topup |
| Validity | GOWellington |
| Valley Flyer | |
| Retailed | Online |
| Telephone | |
| Banks | |
| Website | http://www.snapper.co.nz/ |
The Snapper card is a contactless electronic ticketing card used to pay for bus fares and other small purchases, such as food. It was introduced in Wellington, New Zealand, in July 2008. It can be used on GOWellington and Valley Flyer buses and at participating shops.[1][2]
Further functions for the card are planned, for example as a loyalty card,[3] a debit card, and a joint card.[4]
The name 'Snapper' is a continuation of the piscine theme present in other major cities - Octopus cards in Hong Kong and Oyster cards in London. 'Feeding' Snappers from Merchants is also inspired by the piscine theme.
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[edit] Technology
Snapper is a contactless smart card based on the Infineon, Smart MX from NXP Semiconductors chip set. Snapper uses a cryptographic system called Triple DES. The triple DES security is standard in financial cards and has been approved in New Zealand as a secure mechanism for connection through to the EFTPOS network.[citation needed]
[edit] Retailers
There are Snapper retailers that allow Snapper as a form of payment, and facilitate topping up a Snapper card. They are located in Wellington and the Hutt Valley, and in the Auckland CBD.
[edit] Topping up
When topping up Snapper cards at a Snapper retailer, there is a transaction fee of twenty-five cents. This is deducted from the amount being loaded onto the card.
Snapper is introducing a self service kiosk where the card holder can top up using EFTPOS and get an instant balance. There is no top up fee when using the kiosk.
Customers can also top up online using a credit card, if they have a Snapper USB or Snapper Feeder. There is no fee for topping up online with a credit card; however both of these items cost $40 to purchase.
[edit] Services
[edit] Buses
GOWellington buses were the first to use Snapper; it was trialed by 200 users on route 17 to Karori. From 1 June 2009 there is a 20% discount on standard fares for adults using a Snapper.[2] Previously, this discount was 25%.
Snapper was made available on Valley Flyer buses from 14 June 2009. It is not accepted on Mana/Newlands Coachlines, which have their own smartcard.
[edit] Ferries
Snapper cards can be used to purchase tickets from the Ticket Office at Queen's Wharf for the East by West Ferry in Wellington. From early 2010, the Snapper card can be used to tag on and tag off the ferry, much like on buses, but there is no discount for using it on the ferry.
[edit] In store
When making small purchases in select stores, card holders will be able to use the Snapper card instead of EFTPOS or cash. Several Subway restaurants in Wellington city have recently introduced this as an alternative way of payment.
[edit] Limitations
The card is not universally accepted within the Wellington Region. There is also a penalty fare for not tagging off, which can cause irritation when, for example, a machine malfunctions.
[edit] Future
[edit] Auckland
Snapper publicly announced its plans to enter the Auckland market via a media briefing on December 1, 2009, targeting coverage of 80% of public transport by Rugby World Cup 2011.
Infratil, ANZ National Bank, Eyede, Unisys and Beca Group pitched Snapper to the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, which had made public its intention to introduce smartcards on public transport in Auckland[1] but lost. Thales Group was awarded the contract.[5]
However, Snapper has released the HOP card as the first third-party card to work with Thales' system, and continues to work closely with Auckland Transport and NZTA to set a national standard for integrated ticketing and provide interoperability across all ticketing systems in New Zealand.
Snapper cards work on NZBus services in Auckland.
[edit] Snapper Services Limited
Snapper has created a new payment category in New Zealand, based on small value payments using contactless smartcards. Over 120,000 Snappers have been issued, generating over 20 million transactions, across over 400 buses and 200 retailers in New Zealand.[citation needed] Snapper offers customers integrated ticketing and instant small value payments. The Snapper system is claimed to be 99.99% accurate[citation needed], providing valuable journey data that can be used to plan better transport services for passengers.
Snapper Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Infratil Limited. Infratil is listed on the New Zealand Exchange, and is an infrastructure owner and operator specialising in renewable energy, airports and public transport in New Zealand, Australia and Europe.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Snapper to make a splash". The Dominion Post (www.stuff.co.nz). 2008-04-21. http://www.stuff.co.nz/4489613a11275.html. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
- ^ a b "Snappy card speeds Wgtn bus riders' journey". The Dominion Post (www.stuff.co.nz). 2008-04-21. http://www.stuff.co.nz/4489696a11.html. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
- ^ Snapper Services - What's Snapper
- ^ Possibilities - Snapper possibilities
- ^ Auckland Regional Transport Authority[dead link]
[edit] External links
- Snapper - Snapper card
- Snapper USB - First Impressions
- Snapper Website - Screenshots
- http://www.infratil.com/ - Infratil Limited
