Free public transport for children 5 to 12 years old Free public transport for children 5 to 12 years old

From Wednesday 1 May, fares and concessions are changing for people under 25 years old.

More details will be available on the website in early April.

Children aged 5 to 12 years old can travel for free on public transport with a registered AT HOP card.

How to get free fares

Steps to get the Child (5 to 12 years) concession on your registered AT HOP card. You must be between 5 and 12 years of age (inclusive) to be eligible for free fares. 

Step 1: Register AT HOP card

There are two options for how you can register an AT HOP card. You will need to decide who will manage the card.

You need to know

When you register the card with a child's date of birth (between 5 and 12 years old inclusive), free fares be automatically applied to the card.

Step 2: Allow 1 hour

Once you have registered the card, the child concession will be available to use in 1 hour.

You need to know

Adult fares will be charged until your registration status has been processed.

Step 3: Tag on to activate

You will need to tag on to an AT HOP card reader or electronic gate at a train station within 60 days to activate the concession on your AT HOP card.

If you forget to tag on within 60 days, your registration status will expire, and you'll be charged adult fares. You can contact us, and we can reactivate it for you.

If you don't have an AT HOP card, find out how to buy one.


Child concession

Free fares are only available on a registered AT HOP card. These discounts apply to AT timetabled bus, train and ferry services, and AT Local (excludes Waiheke and Rakino ferries).They also apply to students travelling on school buses. 

Child cash fares apply on paper tickets. See Fares & discounts


Child concession expiry

Free fares on the AT HOP card will expire once the child turns 13 years old.


Age verification

Children may be asked by a Transport Officer or another Auckland Transport Representative to prove they are eligible to receive the concession if they don’t look the appropriate age for that concession.

Valid forms of age identification need to include a date of birth, for example,

  • Secondary or Tertiary Student ID card
  • Driver’s licence
  • Passport
  • Kiwi Access Card (previously the 18+ card).

In future, AT may consider additional measures for customers' age verification before applying a Child or Youth concession.


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Terms of use of the AT HOP cards are available here.