Metrocard is the easy way for you to travel on Metro.

The Metrocard does the thinking for you. Its state-of-the-art technology automatically deducts your fare when you board the bus. You don't have to think about having the right change.

Metrocard Timaru can be used only on services within Timaru. Metrocard cannot be used for the Temuka and Twizel services. Read more information on fares for trips to/from Timaru to Temuka and Twizel.

Your Timaru Metrocard cannot be used on Christchurch services.

Metrocard costs nothing to buy – it’s free! You just need to load $10 onto your Metrocard initially for it to work.

Metrocard automatically calculates and deducts your fare every time you use it. You don’t have to think about having the right change – just place your Metrocard on the reader as you board the bus and your fare will be automatically deducted from your card balance.

Metrocard gives you up to 25% off the cost of cash fares for a single trip and even better discounts the more you use it. With Metrocard, one trip on Metro costs just $1.27* compared to $1.70* if you pay cash.

• $1.27* buys your first trip, and any additional trips you make on any Metro Timaru services within the next four hours are free!
• $2.54* is the maximum you pay per day for as many trips as you like.
• $12.70* is all you pay for one calendar week unlimited travel (Monday to Saturday). Saturday is free if you have spent $12.70* Monday to Friday.

*Adult fare

Here's what travel with the Metrocard costs if you're under-18:

• For 82 cents you receive four hours unlimited travel.
• For $1.64 you receive unlimited travel for one day.
• For $8.20 you will receive one calendar week unlimited travel (Monday to Saturday). Saturday travel is free if you have spent $8.20 Monday to Friday.

Passengers may be asked to show photo ID with their date of birth, proving they are under 18. Approved IDs include CANDO cards, your passport, birth certificate or driver licence. If passengers can't show any of the above when asked, they may have to pay a full adult fare. Children under 5 years-of-age travel free-of-charge when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger.

Your Metrocard records the first time you board a Metro service that day. For the next four hours, each time you board a Metro Timaru service you will travel for free. After four hours, when you next board a Metro Timaru service, the machine will deduct another fare. Thereafter you can make as many trips as you like for free, the whole day!

When you have no funds available, the machine issues a warning ticket reminding you to top-up your Metrocard before your next trip.

Place your Metrocard on the reader machine and the balance is displayed on the screen. When the balance is below $4, the machine issues a warning beep advising you to top-up your Metrocard. Top-up your Metrocard, in $10 amounts (for example $10, $20 or $30), as you board the bus (cash only) or at Metroinfo at the Timaru i-SITE (cash or EFTPOS). If you use EFTPOS or a credit card to make this payment, it will appear on your bank statement as a payment to Environment Canterbury. Your Metrocard has a unique number registered to you. That means if it’s lost or stolen, it can be cancelled and any remaining money transferred to a replacement card. There is a $10 administration charge for a replacement card.

• Visit Metroinfo at Timaru i-SITE Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 5.00 pm
• Phone Metroinfo 03 6 88 55 44 Monday to Saturday 6.30 am - 10.30 pm, Sunday 9.00 am to 9.00 pm

• Adult Metrocard (18 and over) – bring in one of the following – your driver licence, passport, bank statement, electricity or phone account.
• Child Metrocard* (under-18) – bring in a CanDo card or some suitable proof of age.
• Approved concession Metrocard* - bring in your Metro identity card, provided by your approved workshop.

*Child and approved concession Metrocard holders are entitled to reduced fares.