Public transport services, including Total Mobility

Who can use public transport during Alert Levels 1 and 2?

Anyone can use public transport at Alert Levels 1 and 2.

Contact tracing – if you use an electronic public transport card, please make sure this is registered and your contact details are up to date. QR codes for the government COVID-19 Tracer App are also being displayed on all services at all levels.

Always follow Ministry of Health personal hygiene advice and, in addition, either use hand sanitiser or wash your hands before and after using services.

If you’re feeling unwell, please don’t use public transport.

More information about travel in Alert Level 1(external link)

When do I need to wear a mask or face covering on public transport?

Effective from 11.59 pm on Wednesday 18 November 2020, you must wear a face covering while on:

• domestic flights, across New Zealand, and
• Alert Level 1: public transport services travelling within, from, to, or through Auckland. You are encouraged to wear a face covering on other public transport services outside of Auckland.
• Alert Level 2: all public transport services.

However, there are some exemptions, these include:

• passengers of small passenger services - but drivers of small passenger services are required to wear face coverings on journeys within, from, to, or through, Auckland under Level 2; and
• passengers of school transport services (meaning dedicated school services contracted by: the Ministry of Education, or Local Authority, or School Board, or Auckland Transport) – but drivers of school transport services are required to wear face coverings on journeys within, from, to, or through, Auckland under Level 2; and
• charter services and tours.

Is public transport safe to use?

Yes, public transport continues to be safe to use throughout all Alert Levels. A number of measures are in place to make sure public transport remains safe.

Public transport operators continue to follow Ministry of Health cleaning guidance, including carrying out increased frequency and intensity of cleaning of buses, trains, ferries, and facilities.

Trains, buses and facilities are regularly treated with disinfectant, which is effective in destroying germs. High contact surfaces, eg, handrails etc, are also regularly wiped down during the day.

What is Total Mobility and who can use the services?

Total Mobility is part of our public transport system and is designed to help people who can’t access standard public transport services. It provides door to door transport for those with long term impairments who are unable to use public transport.

There is no change to the existing eligibility requirements for Total Mobility. Fares will be charged as normal on these services with a 50% subsidy applied, up to the regional fare cap.

Additional information about Total Mobility

Further information about regional schemes [PDF, 363 KB]