Public transport fare changes for under 25s Public transport fare changes for under 25s
Last updated 8am Monday 25 March 2024.
From 1 May 2024, fares and concessions are changing for customers under 25 years old. Find out if you still qualify for a discount.
On this page
- Fare changes from 1 May 2024
- AT HOP fare changes by age group
- Bus and train AT HOP fare changes
- Ferry AT HOP fare changes
Fare changes from 1 May 2024
On 30 April 2024, free weekday travel on bus, train and ferry services for children ages 5 to 12 and half-price fares for ages 13 to 24 will end. This change is in line with the government’s decision to withdraw funding for these concessions.
We still offer discounts for children, secondary students, tertiary students, and those who hold a Community Services, Total Mobility or Blind Low Vision NZ card. Read on to find out if you or your children qualify and whether there’s anything you need to do.
AT HOP fare changes by age group
Children under 5
Children under 5 years old do not need their own AT HOP card and can continue to travel for free when accompanied by a paying passenger.
No action is required.
Children 5 to 12
Children ages 5 to 12 will no longer travel for free on weekdays and will pay child fares (at least 40% off adult fares) from 1 May.
Weekend travel is still free for children who tag on and off with an AT HOP card registered with their correct date of birth. Offer applies to timetabled AT bus, train, and ferry services and AT Local but excludes Waiheke and Rakino ferries.
To ensure sufficient funds for travel, parents should top up their child’s AT HOP card before 1 May.
Children 13 to 15
Half-price child fares for children ages 13 to 15 will end. Children will pay child fares (at least 40% off adult fares) from 1 May.
Weekend travel is still free for children who tag on and off with an AT HOP card registered with their correct date of birth. Offer applies to timetabled AT bus, train, and ferry services and AT Local but excludes Waiheke and Rakino ferries.
To ensure sufficient funds for travel, parents should top up their child’s AT HOP card before 1 May.
Secondary students
Half-price secondary fares for students ages 16 to 19 will end.
Students ages 16 to 19 with a secondary concession on a registered AT HOP card will be eligible for a reduced fare (at least 40% off adult fares).
Youth 16 to 24
Half-price fares for youth ages 16 to 24 will end. You may be eligible for a reduced fare if you have a Community Services card, Total Mobility card, Blind Low Vision NZ card or are a full-time tertiary student.
- If you have a Community Services card, you can apply for a Community Connect Concession to get 50% off adult fares.
- If you have a Total Mobility card or Blind Low Vision NZ card, you can apply for an accessible concession to get at least 40% off adult fares.
- If you are a full-time tertiary student, you can apply for a tertiary concession to get at least 20% off adult fares. If you apply for a tertiary concession before 1 May and you’re under 25, it will activate on 1 May or your 25th birthday, whichever comes first. That way, you’ll pay the cheapest fare available to you.
If you are not eligible for a reduced fare, you will pay adult fares from 1 May. You can still travel off-peak for a 10% discount.
Off-peak hours are before 6am, between 9am to 3pm, after 6:30pm until end of service on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays. If you travel on multiple services, each tag-on must be during one of these periods for the discount to apply.
Please note: Adult fares will still apply from 1 May, even if the customer type shows ‘Youth 16–24’ at ticket and top-up machines and on AT HOP receipts.
Bus and train AT HOP fare changes
Child and secondary fares
| Zone | Child 5 to 12 current fare | Child 13 to 15 current fare | Secondary current fare | Child and secondary fare from 1 May |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citylink | Free | $0.20 | $0.20 | $0.35 |
| 1 | Free | $0.70 | $0.70 | $1.35 |
| 2 | Free | $1.30 | $1.30 | $2.60 |
| 3 | Free | $1.75 | $1.75 | $3.55 |
| 4 | Free | $2.15 | $2.15 | $4.40 |
| 5 | Free | $2.55 | $2.55 | $5.10 |
| 6 | Free | $2.80 | $2.80 | $5.50 |
| 7 | Free | $3.00 | $3.00 | $5.90 |
| 8 | Free | $3.20 | $3.20 | $6.30 |
| 9 | Free | $3.35 | $3.35 | $6.60 |
Youth fares
From 1 May, youth ages 16 to 24 who are not eligible for another concession will pay adult fares.
| Zone | Youth current fare | Adult fare from 1 May |
|---|---|---|
| Citylink | $0.35 | $0.70 |
| 1 | $1.25 | $2.60 |
| 2 | $2.20 | $4.45 |
| 3 | $3.00 | $6.00 |
| 4 | $3.70 | $7.40 |
| 5 | $4.25 | $8.50 |
| 6 | $4.80 | $9.60 |
| 7 | $5.35 | $10.70 |
| 8 | $5.90 | $11.80 |
| 9 | $6.35 | $12.70 |
Ferry AT HOP fare changes
Children ages 0 to 4 travel for free when accompanied by a paying passenger.
Inner harbour (Bayswater, Birkenhead, Northcote Point, Devonport/Stanley Bay)
| Inner harbour | Current fare | Fare from 1 May |
|---|---|---|
| Child (5 to 12) | Free | $3.55 |
| Child (13 to 15) | $1.75 | $3.55 |
| Secondary (16 to 19) | $1.75 | $3.55 |
| Youth (16 to 24) | $3.00 | $6.00 |
Mid harbour (Half Moon Bay, West Harbour, Hobsonville, Beach Haven)
| Mid harbour | Current Fare | Fare from 1 May |
|---|---|---|
| Child (5 to 12) | Free | $5.10 |
| Child (13 to 15) | $2.42 | $5.10 |
| Secondary (16 to 19) | $2.42 | $5.10 |
| Youth (16 to 24) | $4.12 | $8.50 |
Outer harbour (Gulf Harbour, Pine Harbour)
| Outer harbour | Current fare | Fare from 1 May |
|---|---|---|
| Child (5 to 12) | Free | $6.30 |
| Child (13 to 15) | $3.20 | $6.30 |
| Secondary (16 to 19) | $3.20 | $6.30 |
| Youth (16 to 24) | $5.90 | $11.80 |