Auckland Transport and Hitachi Rail Launch Contactless Payments for Seamless Multimodal Travel

The project involved a comprehensive upgrade of the payment validation infrastructure, including the integration of the Transcity account-based ticketing (ABT) back-office system and application programming interfaces (APIs). A total of 3,825 bus validators and 180 platform validators were upgraded, along with the installation of 100 new card readers at rail and ferry platform gates. These upgrades were carried out in stages to ensure minimal disruption to passenger services.

The integration of all Auckland Transport’s services—train, bus, and ferry operations—was a key deliverable of the project. This integration not only supports various contactless payment methods but also aligns with Auckland Transport’s existing technology framework. Roger Jones, Chief Technology Officer at Auckland Transport, stated, “AT will continue to invest in ways to make it easy, safe, and reliable to get around using public transport. Working with Hitachi Rail to seamlessly enable contactless payments across our network is one example of this investment.”

Since its launch in November 2024, the contactless ticketing system has recorded an impressive 3.5 million taps. The system was fully implemented across Auckland’s public transport network in just 15 months, from project initiation to completion. Jean-Marc Reynaud, Vice President of Hitachi Rail RCS, highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, “This contract celebrates the long-lasting support of Hitachi Rail to Auckland Transport for the integrated fare system in the city.”

This initiative marks a significant step forward in modernizing Auckland’s public transport system, offering passengers a more convenient and efficient way to travel while supporting the city’s broader goals of sustainability and innovation.