I can say with as much fact as anyone hiding behind an alis that Snapper will not be integrated into Auckland. Snapper made some mistakes (slowing things up) but AT made even more.
Very small part of IFT business.
Disc: Hold IFT.
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That could spell the end for Snapper entirely as a transport payment mechanism, given the NZTA will use the Thales system as the backbone for a nationwide ticketing system. Operators or Councils (depending upon the contract model used) will be able to choose the equipment used on vehicles, but it must integrate with the Thales-based system.
As far as expansion, I would agree though there is still the possibly that they could integrate into the Thales system down the line (I just dont see it happening on launch which will be fatal for Snapper re the Auckland network). As far as wellington, they will continue to operate on their fleet down there and as I say, depending on when they move to integrated ticketing, may be able to integrate. They must hold a resonable float and they are/have expanded it much wider than just buses - into taxis, shops, (is parking implemented??) etc.
Remember that Snapper is set to lose access to a sizable portion of the float post Thales implementation, as HOP card top-ups will shortly reside with Auckland Transport, who will use the interest gained from this sizable investment - which I understand to be around the $10M mark at any given time in Auckland - to improve the public transport network.
Worse yet, the Thales based system is set to become the NZTA's national standard, with the long-term vision being one card that will work on any public transport service throughout the country. Of course a Government department's ability to deliver on that sort of vision is somewhat chequered, so whether this is achieved is another story.
We are also seeing an increasing number of banks and credit card companies establish their own off-transport payment systems (e.g. Visa Paywave), and given their already established userbase, could remove one of the last remaining advantages of the system. Why have a Snapper card when you can have a HOP card and a Visa/Mastercard?
Zaphod - I said there is a possibility they can hook into the Thales system if given enough time. They have to figure out whether they think they can or just kill this business quickly taking what extra money they can as it winds down.
Yes, I agree the possibility is still there and let's hope they don’t miss it, but I wonder whether given the lack of a float and competition from other payment providers in the off-transport space, there is still a business there even if they do hook into the Thales system?
Agree - Snapper is out of Auckland (just a matter of waiting for it to be offical really) so they should be thinking about winddown and milking what they have for as much as they can get on a skelaton staff/expenses.
Snappers out. AT finally announced: http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz...ticketing.aspx
AT stuffed this one up royally costing lots of people lots of money.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...d-airport.html
Telegraph suggests IFT, with the NZ Super fund is bidding for Stanstead. Hard to say if this would be good for IFT as it comes down to price. The airport is very busy but reliant on one airline.
I was more of a Heathrow person while I was in London - far too many issues with the cheap airlines to rely on using them for quick trips.