Get on with it - Credit and debit card payment for Metlink services is coming soon!

From 12 April 2026 passengers will be able to use VISA and Mastercard contactless payment on Metlink buses and trains.

Eligibility

The first step of this new technology is only for single trip adult fares.

You will still need to pay with a Snapper card if you want to:

• Get a discounted fare (child, tertiary, accessible, or Community Services Card concession)
• Use a day pass or 30-day pass
• Get free transfers between services on the same journey
• Tag on multiple travellers at the same time

If you’re paying by credit or debit card:

• You must tag on and tag off for every trip. Free transfers won’t be available until Motu Move is introduced.
• You can’t pay for someone else - each person must use their own card.

Passengers can simply tag on and tag off on the existing Snapper bus validators or platform card readers for any bus or train service - excluding the Airport Express bus.

The Airport Express (AX) bus accepts credit and debit cards using a different payment system, and this will not change. 

Accepted Payment Methods

You can pay using a physical VISA or Mastercard, or a digital version stored on your mobile phone or smart watch.

Unlike when you use a Snapper card, when you use the debit or credit payment method you will not see the fare to be charged when you tag off on the bus validator or platform card readers. 

Using a Snapper Card

Snapper cards will continue to be accepted until Metlink has fully transitioned to Motu Move in December 2027, so you can still choose to travel using a Snapper card, or pay with cash, if you prefer or cannot use a debit or credit card.

Payments, Fees and Security

Transaction timing

Payments are processed by your bank overnight, so the transaction will usually appear in your account the following day.

Fees

VISA card or Mastercard payments will incur a 1.5% fee for each fare. This is the same fee customers pay when topping up a Snapper card via the Snapper mobile app or when using credit or debit payment at a Snapper self-service kiosk. 

Security

Snapper technology ensures that tagging on, tagging off and having your fare payment checked by staff is safe. 

On the train, you will still need to show Metlink staff you have paid on your card, phone, or smart watch - the same way you do with your Snapper card. 

Staff simply see a ‘tick’ confirming that you have tagged on. They cannot access your personal information, data, or banking details.

The Snapper ticketing equipment has been certified to EMVCo standards which ensure payment transactions are secure, interoperable, and reliable across different networks and regions.

By adhering to these standards, payment devices (such as credit card readers, mobile wallets, and contactless terminals) can combat fraud, protect sensitive cardholder data, and work seamlessly with financial systems globally. 

You must tag on and tag off using the same payment method and device - as with Snapper, penalties apply if a tag on and tag off are not recorded correctly, and no refund is available if you forget to tag off.

Issues with payment

If something goes wrong with your payment you will be able to contact Snapper within their business hours for help, whether you used a Snapper card, VISA or Mastercard payment.