Rick van Barneveld has been working on The Transport Agency’s national integrated ticketing programme, which has now moved into its next phase. The system is designed to maximise returns on future investments in public transport ticketing systems in New Zealand and deliver the best possible benefits for users. Interim solutions have been agreed for Wellington, Christchurch and nine smaller regions as holding plans, pending global procurement of a next generation ticketing solution for these councils. That procurement needs to be tested against the alternative of extending Auckland’s HOP.