Queenstown is the testing ground for a free app the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is claiming as a world-first. Launched in the resort by Transport Minister Simon Bridges yesterday, the Choice app connects users with live transport information so they can plan journeys and activities and make bookings and payments. NZTA Connected Journey director Martin McMullan said it was ''the first free and open app of its type in the world''. Transport providers involved are Ritchies, Queenstown Taxis, Green Cabs, Corporate Cabs, NZSki, Heliworks, Go Orange, Cardrona, Treble Cone, car-pooling app Chariot and Destination Queenstown. Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult said because the app had been developed by the Government, the obstacle of commercial rivalry had been removed, and all transport providers had an incentive to get on board.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 24, 2017 18:11 UTC