Hello Aucklander, do you know that Snapper (the red fish) is in town?

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Forums › Finance and wealth management › Hello Aucklander, do you know that Snapper (the red fish) is in town?

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cisconz
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#446565 8-Mar-2011 10:18

Kyanar:
cisconz:

If I had the choice I would rather take the Train, but that means 3 types of cards at the moment.

If you're literally using all three transport operators, a Discovery Monthly pass would do the job. Basically, it gives you unlimited usage of all Ritchies, NZ Bus, Howick and Eastern, Urban Express and Birkenhead Transport buses, all trains, and any inner harbour ferries - you just show it to the driver or conductor, and that's it. You don't swipe it, insert it, or anything. It does cost $230 though, but if you're using public transport as your primary way of getting places, that becomes economical very quickly.

Sure, but not for me, I use it about once a week, it would be cheaper to get a taxi.

Hmmmm

jonherries

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#446585 8-Mar-2011 11:16

Few comments to add:

The action credit/debit action isn't instantaneous. Most of the issues with the Wellington system (based on my observations) was that people thought they could just wave it past the reader (like how people think faster is better when swiping an eftpos card).

The 25c fee for top-ups is a barrier to uptake (but still cheaper than cash fares). Might be solved by the operator incorporating a percentage into the takings from a retailer and then add it to the ticket price (ie. still there but invisible to the user).

Technology wise, when they first set up the system, it used an archaic active-x object to authenticate the card/your username/password, so you HAD to use Internet Explorer to log in. They have since done a re-write of the site. But that didn't inspire much confidence in me originally.

Interestingly, from my observations is how the payments are managed. I believe there are places within the city that have wifi for the transaction data to be transferred off the bus, otherwise it waits until the end of the run/day. If this was instaneous (using 3g), there would be the ability to use the payment system to do the realtime positioning (something the Wellignton council is paying extra for).

I am annoyed that the council agreed to the monthly chargin mechanism. With Oyster the card applies a daily/weekly/monthly limit on spend. So you automatically get the discount you are entitled to. The current implementation means people must determine their travel needs for the day/week/month up front, which is not good for the consumer (particularly from a social justice perspective as people who ride the bus often do so for financial reasons). Of course Infratil rub their hands on this one.

I believe the reason that the system is be put into Auckland is that they want to eat Thales' lunch. They have an immediately available technology which they are promising to make compatible in the back end (ie. the users use the snapper and infratil holds the money and then transfers it to the thales backend).
They hold the credit on the collective cards (in their interest bearing accounts) and time to transfer the money (great business decision).

An installed base where the cards work on most of the busses (ones owned by NZBUs/Infratil), means that they have the market sewn up. How many people are going to wait and buy a Thales card, if they already have a Snapper one?

In my opinion Thales is getting stiffed in this deal, as soon as they agreed to a standard for interoperability they were always holding a terrible hand.

Jon

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#446734 8-Mar-2011 19:28

jonherries: An installed base where the cards work on most of the busses (ones owned by NZBUs/Infratil), means that they have the market sewn up. How many people are going to wait and buy a Thales card, if they already have a Snapper one?

In my opinion Thales is getting stiffed in this deal, as soon as they agreed to a standard for interoperability they were always holding a terrible hand.

Jon

I seem to recall at the time ARC were kind of bullied into it, after all they didn't want Snapper setting up shop in most of the buses as a mutant unofficial system in complete competition. There was even as I recall talks that NZBus were going to get Ritches & others to implement Snapper instead of wait for Thales.

Really it was a case of comparing one bad hand to another.

On a side note, the technology used for Brisbane's smart card system (Go Card) was pretty good, pity their prices were so high, but I really hope Thales turns out something technologically speaking like their system.

sbiddle

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#446762 8-Mar-2011 20:13

jonherries: In my opinion Thales is getting stiffed in this deal, as soon as they agreed to a standard for interoperability they were always holding a terrible hand.

Jon

Thales didn't agree on "interoperability", NZTA did when they decided to fund the system.

jonherries

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#446768 8-Mar-2011 20:17

Thales by engaging in the tender and signing the contract "agreed" to it. Or a greed to it...

I supposed I am surprised they bothered.

Jon

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nate

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#446929 9-Mar-2011 12:50

I was invited by Snapper to their launch at 9am this morning, it was at the small coffee shop at 1 Queen St, Auckland.

Got given a $50 card with Snapper on it and was shown a quick presentation by Miki (their CEO).

I'll blog later tonight with more info and photos from the event.

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freitasm

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#446947 9-Mar-2011 13:29

Here is the press relelase:

Snapper instant payment smartcard launches in Auckland, includes 150 retail outlets, 1000 taxis.
Auckland, 9 March 2011.

Snapper today has commenced an extensive roll out of its leading contactless payments system across the Auckland Super City, bringing New Zealand’s fastest way to pay within everyday reach of 1.5 million New Zealanders.
Rapid retail rollout.

Snapper CEO Miki Szikszai says, “Snapper is excited to bring the magic way to pay to a third of New Zealand’s population. Today we’re announcing the installation of a great footprint in the Auckland Super City. This includes 1,000 taxis, and over 150 retail points of presence. Snapper is focused on continuing to build out Auckland’s retail network for Snapper customers at a rapid rate, and we’re mobilising installers from outside of Auckland to cope with retailer demand.”

Well-known retail partners, a wide suburban network, more to come.

“We wanted Snapper to be available to as many locals and visitors to Auckland as possible. We are pleased that well-known retail brands are coming onto the Snapper network first - brands such as FIX, City Convenience and SUBWAY® Restaurants now accept Snapper.”

“We’ve also taken care of the wider Auckland needs by installing Snapper throughout the Auckland suburban region. Snapper customers can now enjoy the benefit of instant payment for their everyday purchases in their neighborhood convenience stores and cafes."

“Customers will be able to use Snapper in other well-known, large-footprint retailers soon. Customers can keep track of our progress on snapper.co.nz.”

Innovative taxi partners.
“We are delighted to announce that Green Cabs in Wellington and Auckland now accept Snapper. Snapper is perfect for those short trips around town where payment needs to be instant. Today we’re announcing an introductory offer with Green Cabs. Snapper customers fares will be free of the electronic service fee, making Snapper the perfect replacement for cash. Snapper will soon be announcing the addition of other taxi companies bringing the Snapper taxi footprint to around 1,000 taxis in Auckland, and nearing 2,000 taxis nationwide.”

National growth.
Mr Szikszai adds, “Extending the Snapper network to Auckland is an important milestone for Snapper users. Our vision is to have Snapper available from Kaitaia to Bluff, making every day easier for customers, and relegating slow cash transactions to a thing of the past. Snapper continues to develop as a common form of payment throughout New Zealand. We think this will be particularly important for New Zealand’s tourism market, making it easier to make every day purchases. Customers can check out the retailer map on snapper.co.nz for regular updates.”

Integrated ticketing.
“Snapper continues to work in close partnership with Auckland Transport and Thales to bring the Auckland Integrated Fares System to public transport in the Auckland region. Auckland Transport will announce significant developments to the phased implementation of Auckland’s integrated ticketing system soon."

Customer demand and future developments.
“Auckland consumers - especially those that have experienced Snapper in Wellington, or similar systems overseas - have given us constant encouragement to Snapper their city. We know that Aucklanders will love the speed and convenience of Snapper. Snapper is growing fast and we want customers to be a part of that. Customers can tell us their stories and where they want to use their Snapper on snapper.co.nz or on Twitter and Facebook .”

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nate

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#447095 9-Mar-2011 21:47

My blog post about this morning's launch is here.

Lurch

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#449276 17-Mar-2011 15:52

Again whats the point? People will buy into anything, $10 for a standard card, $2 fee if you use a taxi, $40 for snapper feeder/usb if you want to top up at home, 25 cents to top up at a vendor...

Just afew charges/fee's after a quick glimpse on the website.

Bank...
Free eftpos card from the bank, and no fees on my account, no need to top-up wages go straight into it, direct debit card $10 a year annual fee no other fees :-)

All for the sake of a few seconds. Cafe, if I order a coffee it takes longer than 9 seconds to make a decent cuppa joe.

Here's a thought, security wise. If someone lost their snapper card what's to stop someone else using said card?

No pin right? :)

nate

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#449371 17-Mar-2011 21:20

Lurch: Again whats the point?

You can't use eftpos on the bus. The idea of having snapper at retailers is consumers will already have it to use the bus, so why not use it for other things.

Regarding theft, if you register it with Snapper, it's a quick call to get them to disable it and you don't lose any of your credit.

cisconz

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#449381 17-Mar-2011 21:39

Lurch: Here's a thought, security wise. If someone lost their snapper card what's to stop someone else using said card?

No pin right? :)

If it is registered online then you can mark it as stolen, and transfer the balance to a new card.

Hmmmm

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Lurch

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#449456 18-Mar-2011 08:01

Theres a huge chance someone will spend it before you manage to call / go online to mark it as stolen. Think I'll stick with what I'm doing now, good idea but snapper still needs work (and support from retailers).

freitasm

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#449463 18-Mar-2011 08:30

Lurch: Theres a huge chance someone will spend it before you manage to call / go online to mark it as stolen. Think I'll stick with what I'm doing now, good idea but snapper still needs work (and support from retailers).

What work? Adding a PIN and slowing down? Just treat it as money, hard currency, like those $20 notes you put in your pocket and can get lost too.

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old3eyes

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#449468 18-Mar-2011 08:52

Just a question to those in Wellywood who use this card for bus travel. If there are two of you traveling do you both need a card?? Currently here in AKL if I have a 10 trip ticket I can get two clips if two of us travel or when I'm in Tauranga my swipe card will pay for more than one person..

Regards,

Old3eyes

mckenndk

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#449470 18-Mar-2011 08:54

old3eyes: Just a question to those in Wellywood who use this card for bus travel. If there are two of you traveling do you both need a card?? Currently here in AKL if I have a 10 trip ticket I can get two clips if two of us travel or when I'm in Tauranga my swipe card will pay for more than one person..

yes you need to ask the driver and he will do the hokis pokis and you scan the card a second time.

Dion

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