Snapper card » Metlink

One payment card for all Metlink buses

You’ll pay at least 25% more using cash than with a Snapper card. All Metlink buses in the Wellington Region are fitted with Snapper card readers for fares. It's faster than cash, because you don't need to tell the bus driver your destination, and you don't have to wait for a paper ticket or your change. Simply tag on at the front, and tag off at the back or front, even if you're transferring to another bus.

You can catch up to five buses in one journey, as long as they are all Metlink buses. Tag on to another bus service within 30 minutes, and you'll get the transfer at no extra cost. Snapper will calculate your fare on the number of zones you have travelled start to finish - even if you caught more than one bus.

See Snapper Fares

1 cent at Snapper retailers

1 cent at Snapper kiosks

$10 when topping up online or with a mobile device

See Snapper website for minimum top up amounts(external link)

Penalty charges

Failure to tag off results in the default fare being charged to the Snapper card. The default fare is the end of the line fare without the Snapper discount.

Penalty charges under Conditions of carriage

Been overcharged?

If you think you’ve been unfairly penalized but have not received your refund in 2 working days, please contact Snapper(external link). Remember, refunds are only applied under circumstances where you have tried to tag off but haven’t been able to. You still need to tag off each time you get off the bus. Failing to do so will result in a penalty charge of an end of the line fare without the Snapper discount

More information on penalty charges

Off-peak and Concession fares using Snapper

Snapper cards automatically get a 25% discount on regular adult Snapper fares when travelling Off-peak. You can also load a 30-day bus pass to your Snapper.

Child, Tertiary and Accessible concessions have eligibility requirements, and need to be loaded onto your Snapper card to be used for discounted bus travel. Off-peak discounts and concessions can't be combined, but once your concession is applied, your Snapper card will apply the best discount automatically.

Getting started with Snapper

Buy a Snapper card

You can buy a Snapper card for RRP $10 from a Snapper retailer or online on the Snapper website.(external link)

Buy a Snapper card(external link)

Register your card

By registering your Snapper card, you'll be able to see your balance, transaction history, and travel history online. Plus, if you lose your registered card, you can block the balance and transfer it to a new card.

After you're registered, you can apply for a concession on your Snapper card if you're eligible for for the Child, T ertiary, or Accessible concession.

Register your Snapper

Top up your Snapper

You'll need credit on your Snapper card before you can use it. Snapper retailers and kiosks are located throughout the region, and there are some options for topping up with mobile devices or online

Top up your Snapper(external link)

Tag on and tag off

Just hold your Snapper card to the Snapper fish on the reader – you’ll hear a beep and see a green tick on the screen to let you know you’ve tagged on. As you leave the bus, tag off at the back the same way you tagged on and you’ll automatically be charged the right amount.

More about tagging on and off(external link)

On our way to integrated ticketing

Snapper is an interim solution to make bus travel easier. We are continuing to work on delivering a fully integrated next generation payment system that you’ll be able to use on all buses, trains and harbour ferries across the region. This project is still a couple of years away and we will keep you up to date with our progress. For more information, see Plans & projects.