10. Question No. 10—TransportARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 10—Transport10. ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Minister of Transport: Mālō ni. What recent announcements has he made about making it easier for New Zealanders to use public transport?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Last week I announced that New Zealanders will soon be able to use a single payment system across public transport in New Zealand whether they're travelling on the bus train or ferry. The signing of the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) contract with supplier Cubic is a key milestone in the Government's work to boost public transport use no matter where you are in the country. Local authorities also recognise the benefits of a single nationally consistent payment system and the public transport authorities including Auckland Transport Greater Wellington Environment Canterbury and a regional consortium of 10 smaller councils have all signed up to a participation agreement to deliver this solution. The NTS will increase public transport patronage support our emissions reduction goals and drive economic development right across Aotearoa.Arena Williams: What benefits will the new National Ticketing Solution offer for public transport users?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The NTS will make public transport easier to use for all New Zealanders. It will mean that Kiwis are able to use an existing method of payment like a touchless credit card debit card or a mobile phone payment method. It will mean that there is one way of paying for public transport in any part of the country. No longer will people have to have different cards depending on what city they're in. And finally the NTS solution will mean that whatever journey New Zealanders go on with public transport they will automatically get the best fare. We're bringing public transport into the 21st century with this piece of work—something the National Party could not accomplish in its time in office—and it will make public transport better for all Kiwis to use.Arena Williams: What responses has he seen to the announcement of the national ticketing solution?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The responses have been almost universally positive. Save Our Trains New Zealand said This is an excellent initiative that will make life easier for many". Samantha Gain General Manager for Metlink said "This is great news for our passengers who tell us that they want more and easier ways to pay across all modes of public transport". Auckland Transport's interim CEO Mark Lambert said "This is a brilliant day for public transport users." I'm not sure what Mr Luxon would say. He doesn't think public transport should be subsidised.Arena Williams: What other work is the Government doing to support Kiwis to use public transport?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The Government is committed to making it more affordable easier and attractive for Kiwis to use public transport. We're doing that through investing in better public transport infrastructure right around the country: new frequent public transport routes; the decarbonisation of public transport buses; better terms and conditions for bus drivers; and of course half-price public transport. This investment in the National Ticketing Solution is just one part of our Government's commitment to better public transport to make life easier for Kiwis and to decarbonise transport."