Public transport infringements

Why you might get a fine

You need a valid ticket to travel on our buses, trains and ferries. A Transport Officer can ask you to prove you have paid the correct fare. They can also ask you to provide your personal details including your name, address, date of birth and phone number.

You could be given a $150 fine if:

you don’t have a valid ticket
you didn’t tag on with your AT HOP card or a contactless payment method
you are using a concession you're not eligible for.

A Transport Officer can also direct you to get off at the next stop or not get on at all.

If you fail to follow their directions, this can become a more serious matter. You can be required to appear in court and face a fine of up to $1000.

Fines help keep public transport services safe, fair and accessible for all by encouraging everyone to pay the right fare for their journey.

What you'll see on your ticket

The legal wording you'll see on your ticket will be either "No evidence public transport service fare paid" or "Failed to pay public transport service fare".

These apply to not having (or not providing evidence of having) a valid ticket, not tagging on or using a concession you're not eligible for.

How to avoid a fine

Always pay for your journey. You can pay using:

AT HOP
contactless payment methods
cash (for trains and ferries only).

If you need to buy a paper ticket or top up your HOP card before your trip, make sure you allow time to do this before your journey.

You can also top up online – allow an hour for your top up to process – or set up an auto top-up through MyAT.

Correct use of concessions

If you have a concession on your AT HOP card make sure you:

tag on and off every time, even if it’s a free trip
carry proof of eligibility, like a student ID or SuperGold card.

If you carry other people’s cards, like your children’s, make sure they’re clearly labelled so you don’t mix them up. You are responsible for making sure you use the correct AT HOP card with the right concession on it.

Learn more about concession eligibility.

Relevant legislation

Public transport infringements are issued under the Land Transport Act 1998. The offences are found in s79M and the powers of Auckland Transport (AT)'s Transport Officers are found in s128F.

The infringement fees are found in the Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999.

Land Transport Act 1998 (opens in a new tab)

Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999 (opens in a new tab)