The nationwide ticketing project would allow NZers to tag on to buses, trains and ferries using contactless payments. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The long awaited $1.4 billion national ticketing project needs to get back on track, says the transport minister, with Waka Kotahi advice earlier this year seen as "overly optimistic" about the project's viability.
Meanwhile, the US firm responsible for its development has seen its credit rating drop this month.
The nationwide ticketing project would - for the first time - allow New Zealanders to easily tag on to buses, trains and ferries using contactless payments across the country.
In 2022 an almost $500 million was signed with US defence contractor Cubic to deliver the plan, with rollout having started in December with a pilot on Route 29 in Christchurch.
It has since fallen behind targets to be piloted in other parts of the country, due to technical complications with the project.
In April, Auckland councillor Andy Baker said it may be time for the city to walk away from the plan and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown told RNZ he was very concerned about it.
It was meant to be on public transport across the country by the end of next year, but a review of the project has been launched, and a revised rollout plan was due to be announced in August.
In a briefing document to Transport Minister Chris Bishop from NZTA Waka Kotahi in February, the transport agency was positive about the project's rollout.
"The NTS project is on target to be completed on time and within budget".
The paper did note that there were some time and budget pressures with the payment overhaul, but further information on this was redacted in the document.
When RNZ approached Bishop's office with the briefing he said although the Christchurch pilot showed "some promising signs", he was concerned about the project.
"I believe NZTA may have been overly optimistic in their evaluation of the project's viability moving forward in their briefing from February."
Bishop said he had met with the NTS governance group to stress the significant investment in the payment plan and "encourage them to exercise leadership to get the project back on track".
"The group has commissioned an independent review into the project to identify opportunities for improvement in the programme, and I expect to receive a copy of its findings in July, along with a plan to deliver the project."
He was advised that its budget was not an issue.
In a response to RNZ, NZTA Waka Kotahi said the NTS Governance Group was working to address challenges with complex parts of the technology.
"In May 2025 the NTS Governance Board commissioned an independent review of the programme to provide an independent assessment on the current plan, the challenges for delivery and approach to managing programme delays, and to support the successful delivery of the NTS programme.
"The independent review is expected to be completed with a final report presented to the NTS Governance Board at the end of July 2025."
Financial red flags being raised about Cubic
US defence and transport contractor Cubic has developed the ticketing overhaul with Waka Kotahi.
On 9 July the financial agency Fitch Ratings downgraded the company's credit rating from B negative to triple C negative - rating which indicated that there was a substantial credit risk for the technology business.
The change was due to the company completing a restructure of its debt.
In a statement to RNZ, Cubic said that it had reached an agreement with its financial sponsors and lenders that would enhance its liquidity, strengthen its capital structure and position it to accelerate its strategic investments.
Both the transport minister and NZTA Waka Kotahi would not comment on whether they were concerned about the company.
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