Cash fares will be removed from some Metlink express bus services in the Wellington region starting in June. Currently, cash accounts for 8.5 per cent of fares on the Metlink bus network, and 15 per cent of rail fares. In September, Metlink officials indicated they would start testing the Snapper card on rail services within the first quarter of 2021, but no date has been set yet. Cash payments were temporarily dropped on Metlink during the initial Covid-19 Level 3 and 4 due to the transmission risk of cash and ticket handling. Passengers were still required to scan with their Snapper card, though all fares were free.

Source: Stuff March 24, 2021 01:15 UTC