Len Brown

A single ticket system is the "missing link" for Auckland's public transport, says Manukau Mayor Len Brown.

Mr Brown is welcoming news that funding for the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and the Auckland Regional Council (ARC)'s integrated ticketing and fares system has been approved by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

"A single ticket system is the missing link that will pull together all of Auckland's public transport and make it easier for people to use. I'm hoping some kind of single ticket system will be in place for people going to Rugby World Cup games, if not sooner.

"The growing numbers on buses and trains shows that if we provide a good service people will use it. But it also needs to be simple, one ticket for a journey instead of a complicated experience involving separate tickets for different buses, trains and ferries.

"Someone who lives in Howick and works in Newmarket wants to be able to catch the bus, ferry and train to work with just one ticket or swipe card.

"ARTA have to be congratulated for this. They've invested a significant amount of time and effort into making it happen, so I'm glad that the government has agreed to help fund the initiative.

"They already have a preferred tenderer, so hopefully contract negotiations can be finalised quickly and work will begin soon.

"I'm also interested to see that NZTA sees the Auckland system as the first step towards a national ticketing programme. It will make it easier for integrated ticketing systems across the country," Mr Brown says.