Community Connect concession
Find out how Community Services cardholders can get discounted fares on public transport in Auckland.
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Anyone with a current Community Services Card (CSC) issued by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) can apply for a Community Connect concession.
Find out more about Community Services cards on the Work and Income website (opens in a new tab).
If you already have an AT HOP card, you can apply the concession to your existing card. If you don’t have a HOP card yet, we can send you one free of charge when you apply online for a new AT HOP card and concession.
Fares for Community Services cardholders
Community Services cardholders are eligible for the Community Connect concession and a free AT HOP card. This gives you 50% off most buses, trains and ferries when using your registered AT HOP card.
Concessions are only available with a registered AT HOP card. When paying by contactless or cash, you will pay the full adult fare.
Bus and train fares with the Community Connect discount
Cash fare (trains only)
CityLink $1
1 zone $4
2 zones $6
3 zones $8
4+ zones $10
AT HOP fare
CityLink $0.42
1 zone $1.40
2 zones $2.32
3 zones $3.12
4+ zones $3.82
Ferry fares with the Community Connect discount
Local ferry
Te Onewa Northcote Point to or from Birkenhead
AT HOP $1.40
Cash $4
Inter ferry
Beach Haven to or from Hobsonville Point
AT HOP $2.32
Cash $6
Inner Harbour Ferry
To or from the city centre and Bayswater, Birkenhead, Te Onewa Northcote Point, or Devonport
AT HOP $3.70
Cash $11.50
Mid Harbour Ferry
To or from the city centre and Half Moon Bay, West Harbour, Beach Haven, or Hobsonville Point
AT HOP $4.95
Cash $14.50
Outer Harbour Ferry
To or from the city centre and Gulf Harbour or Pine Harbour
AT HOP $6.60
Cash $17
Community Connect discounts are not available on Rakino Island or Waikehe Island services.
Apply online using your existing AT HOP card (4 steps)
Before you start
You’ll need:
- a registered AT HOP card
- a MyAT account
- a Community Services Card
- photo ID such as a driver's license or passport.
If you don’t have a current photo ID, check our list of other accepted proof of identity documents.
Apply for the concession
- In MyAT, select ‘Apply for a Community Connect concession’.
- Select ‘Existing AT HOP card’.
- Choose which card to apply the concession to.
- Enter your MSD client number and select 'Apply’.
Wait for confirmation
Our team will process your application - this could take up to 3 business days. If you use your card in the meantime, you will pay full adult fares.
Tag on to activate your concession
You’ll receive an email confirmation once your concession is ready to use. To activate it, tag on to the HOP reader or electronic gate on any bus, train or ferry.
If you do not tag on within 60 days of setting up your concession, it will expire and your card will revert to adult fares. If this happens, contact us and we can reactivate your concession for you.
Apply online for a new AT HOP card and concession (4 steps)
Before you start
You’ll need:
- a MyAT account
- a Community Services Card
- your postal address
- photo ID such as a drivers license or passport.
If you don’t have a current photo ID, check our list of other accepted proof of identity documents.
Apply for the concession
- In MyAT, select ‘Apply for a Community Connect concession’.
- Select ‘New AT HOP card’.
- Choose your account to register your new AT HOP card.
- Enter your MSD client number and select ‘Apply’.
Wait for confirmation
Our team will process your application and send you a new AT HOP card with the concession loaded and ready to use.
This will arrive via NZ Post in around 10 working days.
In the meantime, you will pay full adult fares for any public transport travel.
Tag on to activate your concession
To activate your concession, tag on to the HOP reader or electronic gate on any bus, train or ferry.
If you do not tag on within 60 days of setting up your concession, it will expire and your card will revert to adult fares. If this happens, contact us and we can reactivate your concession for you.
Apply online without logging in (4 steps)
Before you start
You’ll need:
- a Community Services Card
- your postal address
- photo ID such as a drivers license or passport.
If you don’t have a current photo ID, check our list of other accepted proof of identity documents.
Apply for the concession
- Visit Apply for a Community Connect Concession
- Follow the prompts the whole way through.
- Enter your details and select ‘Apply’.
Wait for confirmation
Our team will process your application.
If you’ve ordered a new AT HOP card, it will arrive from NZ Post in around 10 working days. If you’ve applied for the concession on an existing AT HOP card, it’ll take around 3 business days to be confirmed.
In the meantime, you will pay full adult fares on public transport.
Tag on to activate your concession
To activate your concession, tag on to the HOP reader or electronic gate on any bus, train or ferry.
If you do not tag on within 60 days of setting up your concession, it will expire and your card will revert to adult fares. If this happens, contact us and we can reactivate your concession for you.
Apply in person for discounted fares
You can also apply in person for the Community Connect concession at an MSD Work and Income service centre in Auckland.
You may need to do this if you don’t have a device or access to the internet, or need help completing your application.
Find your nearest Work and Income service centre (opens in a new tab).
Important things to know
Eligibility for Community Connect
You must have a current Community Services Card and carry this with you while travelling. A Transport Officer may ask to see this to make sure you’re eligible for the concession.
What happens if your card gets lost
Your concession is attached to your AT HOP card, not your account. This means if you lose your card and need a replacement, you must contact us to cancel your old card and reapply the concession to your new one.
Get in touch to request a replacement card, cancel your old card, and transfer any remaining balance with your concession.
If you’re eligible for multiple concessions
You can only have one concession per AT HOP card. If you’re eligible for another concession, for example SuperGold or Tertiary student, this can be loaded onto a second AT HOP card to use at different times.
Where discount fares apply
Discounted fares apply on Auckland Transport bus, train, and ferry services and AT Local.
Discounts do not apply on Waiheke Island or Rakino Island ferry services.
Expiry
Your Community Connect concession will expire when your Community Services card does.
We will regularly check your eligibility with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). If you are no longer eligible, we will contact you to let you know your concession is ending. You can still keep your HOP card and use it for travel, but you’ll be charged adult fares.
If you become eligible again, you can reapply for the Community Connect concession with your new Community Services Card.