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Snapper
Snapper are making changes that will make boarding the bus even faster and easier than it already is!
Click here to see a poster that describes these changes.
What is Snapper?
Snapper is the quick and easy way to pay for everyday items, including bus fares
• Snapper comes as a card. It stores up to $300.
• Snappers cost $10 including GST.
To download a copy of the Snapper information leaflet please click here.
Snapper for Children
All children attending full time primary, intermediate or secondary schools are entitled to an automatic 20% discount off the cash price of a single child fare* if they purchase a Child Snapper.
You can purchase either a Green Snapper (for primary/intermediate school children Years 1-8) or a Red Snapper (for secondary school children Years 9-13) which is personalised with age and school enrolment.
Children at primary and intermediate school (Years 1-8) will be able to purchase a Green Snapper from a range of retailers displaying the Snapper sign.
- Green Snappers are not required to be registered, but we strongly recommend that they are to protect the value on them if they are lost or stolen.
- Visit www.snapper.co.nz or call 0800 555 345 to register and protect your Snapper. You can also view transaction history online and new features as they become available.
Children at full time secondary school (Years 9-13) will be able to purchase a Red personalised Snapper which stores the cardholder’s date of birth and flags that they are a school student, entitling them to the child fare discount. If the student already has a Snapper School ID card, then this already entitles them to the child discounted fare and they don’t need another Snapper.
- They will need to complete an application form and provide proof of date of birth (eg: drivers licence, birth certificate, passport, school ID card).
- If they are 16 years or older they will also need to provide proof of enrolment at a secondary school (eg: school ID, school letter or school fee invoice).
- If a student is aged 16 or over the personalised Snapper is valid until
28 February 2010 the following year. If they are aged 16 or over and returning to secondary school full-time they will need to renew their personalised Snapper each year. - To find out further information on how to renew a Red personalised Snapper go to www.snapper.co.nz or call Snapper on 0800 555 345.
To download a copy of the child Snapper information leaflet please click here.
How to Use Snapper
Q: How do I use a Snapper on the bus?
Just tag on by holding a Snapper flat and still to the bus reader with the Snapper logo on it as they enter the bus. Remember that you will need to tag off as you exit the bus.
The system works out how far you have travelled and charges the Snapper for the length of the trip.
Q: How can I tell if I have tagged on or off correctly?
When you hold your Snapper card flat and still to the reader, you will see a green circle displayed. This means it is good to go - you have tagged on or off correctly.
Q: What is displayed on the Snapper reader when I tag on?
The time is displayed on the reader in green. Once you tag on - the reader displays in red the minimum fare for that route (one zone). And if your card has a low value the screen will soon display in green the remaining value left on your Snapper.
Q: What is displayed on the reader when I tag off?
When you tag off, the bus reader displays the difference between the minimum fare (one zone) and the fare for the actual distance you travelled e.g. if you travel 3 zones – you will be charged for one zone as you enter and the additional cost of a 3 zone journey as you exit.
Q: My card just gives me a red cross not a green circle. What is wrong?
The Snapper may not have sufficient value stored on it to pay for the fare. If you have plenty of value on your card, then it may be that the bus reader has not read your card clearly. Remove your card from the reader and give it five clear seconds before trying again. Remember to hold it flat and still against the reader and wait for the green circle. Then you are good to go.
Q: So what was the total cost of my fare?
The total cost is the boarding fare (one zone) plus the fare that was shown when you exited the bus.
Q: What happens if I forget to tag off as I exit the bus?
If you tag off as you exit the bus you will be accurately charged for the distance you have travelled. If you forget to tag off when you exit the bus, you will be charged the maximum cash fare from where you boarded the bus to the last destination on that route. So remember to tag on and tag off. It’s accurate and it’s simple.
Q: How does paying by Snapper work? How does it know where I got on and how far I travelled?
GO Wellington, Valley Flyer and Airport Flyer buses have been fitted with a new ticketing system which has GPS. The on board GPS system knows where every bus stop is in the Wellington region.
Q: What if I don’t have enough money left on my Snapper card to complete my trip on the bus?
When you tag on, you will be able to board the bus if you have enough money to Snapper the minimum fare on that route. That means your Snapper card must have enough funds on it to pay for the shortest journey on the route you have chosen to travel.
Tag off as normal when you exit the bus. Your card will be charged for the distance you travelled. Next time you feed your Snapper you will be charged for any outstanding balance.
Q: Are there different Snappers for Adults and Children?
Yes. Adults can purchase a Snapper from retailers displaying the Snapper sign. Children require a different type of Snapper so that they can receive a child discounted fare. (See ‘Snapper for Children’).
Persons 16 years and older and are no longer in full time secondary school education pay an adult fare.
Q: Where can I purchase a Snapper?
Snappers are available from a range of retailers throughout central Wellington which display the Snapper sign. Visit www.snapper.co.nz for the latest list of Snapper merchants.
Click here to download a pdf of the latest list of Snapper retailers.
Snappers cost $10 including GST.
Q: Where can I purchase a Snapper for my child?
Green Snappers are available from a range of retailers throughout central Wellington and the Hutt Valley which display the Snapper sign.
Red personalised Snappers are available from Thursday 20 August:
Reading Cinema – Courtenay Central, Ground Floor, 100 Courtenay Place, Wellington:
- Thursday 20 August: 12pm to 7pm
- Friday 21 August: 12pm to 7pm
- Saturday 22 August:10am to 5pm
- Sunday 23 August: 10 am to 5pm
- Thursday 27 August:12pm to 7pm
- Friday 28 August:12pm to 7pm
- Saturday 29 August: 10am to 5pm
- Sunday 30 August: 10 am to 5pm
Q. How do I feed my Snapper?
A Snapper cannot be fed on the bus.
You can feed Snapper at any Snapper ‘buy and feed’ retailer. There are over 100 of these in the Wellington region including over 40 in the Hutt Valley.
You could also purchase a $35 Snapper Feeder, visit www.snapper.co.nz and feed your Snapper via your PC’s USB port with your credit card.
To purchase a Feeder call Snapper on 0800 555 345. You’ll need your credit card handy.
Q. What does it cost to feed a Snapper?
It costs 25 cents each time you feed a Snapper.
Q. Do I need to register my Snapper?
All Snappers must be registered if they are to be hot-listed in the event that they are lost or stolen. Registering your Snapper also allows you to view transaction history online.
Q. How do I view my transactions?
Register your Snapper and then go to www.snapper.co.nz, log in and select “view transactions”. There will be a listing of all the Snapper feeds and transactions.
Q. Can I register more than one Snapper to my account?
Yes, if you want to register, for example, yours and your child’s Snapper simply go to www.snapper.co.nz, log in and select “Register another Snapper”.
Q. If I have purchased a Child Green Snapper is it automatically registered for hot-listing?
No. A Child Green Snapper is not automatically registered.
It is strongly recommended that you register your child’s Snapper to help protect the value
on it if lost or stolen.
Q. If I have a Red personalised Snapper is it automatically registered for hot-listing?
Yes. The personalised Snapper is automatically registered. As part of the application for a personalised Snapper, the card details have been recorded to protect the personalised Snapper, in case it is lost or stolen. We recommend you also activate your account by registering online at www.snapper.co.nz or by calling the Snapper call centre on 0800 555 345. Activating your account allows viewing of transaction history online and new features as they become available.
Q. How do I register a Snapper?
Register the Snapper online at www.snapper.co.nz or call Snapper on 0800 555 345. Registration forms are also available at Snapper retailers.
Q. What do I do if my Snapper is lost or stolen?
If your Snapper is registered, simply call the Snapper call centre on 0800 555 345 to hot-list your card.
Hot-listed cards are communicated to bus readers and retail terminals.
Once the hot-list message is received, the Snapper is deactivated, so it will be declined.
This process can take up to three business days.
After three business days, any remaining balance can be transferred to another Snapper.
Snapper users must register their Snapper to take advantage of this feature.
Q. If I do not have a computer how do I register my Snapper?
Please contact the Snapper call centre on 0800 555 345 and the process can be completed over the phone.
Got other questions?
For all Snapper questions call 0800 555 345.
For GO Wellington bus questions call 04 387 8700.
If you want to know about bus routes, timetables and fares call Metlink on 0800 801 700.