Covid-19
Current Alert Level 1
The Wellington region moved to Alert level 1 Tuesday 22 September.
The latest amendments to travel restrictions are:
- From 22 September, face coverings are no longer mandatory on any Metlink services
While face coverings are no longer mandatory, passengers can continue to wear them out of personal preference. If you are choosing to wear a face covering, this can include a face mask, scarf or bandana please read a handy guide to show you the correct way to wear and dispose of your mask.(external link) It is also important to continue practicing good hygiene practices and recording your journey with us, whether it’s by scanning one of the QR codes with the NZ COVID tracer or Rippl app, or writing it down manually.
Remember, be kind and follow these simple steps to keep you, your whanau and your community safe while using Metlink services:
- If you are unwell, do not travel on public transport. If you can, work from home
- Fares apply, cash is being collected however contactless is preferred
- Physical distancing isn’t required however is encouraged where possible
- Track your journey. QR codes are displayed on board and at staffed ticket facilities to help with this. An alternative is to note down where you went, who you sat next to and the service number of your vehicle
- Buses will retain front door boarding which allows our customers full accessibility
- Metlink staff are not expected to enforce the wearing of face coverings or scanning of QR codes
General Information
- Wash or sanitise your hands before and as soon as possible after travelling
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow, or use a tissue to cover your mouth
- Avoid touching your eyes and face, without clean hands
- Put used tissues in the bin or a bag straight after using them
- Our strengthened cleaning routine continues
Thank you to all passengers and staff for your incredible patience and understanding during this time. We continue to rely on you to be responsible, be kind to one another and make the right choices by following the Government’s advice. Your safety, and our team’s safety, is paramount. We are all in this together.
Fares
Fares are in place and we will be accepting cash, but we recommend using contactless where possible. If you are using cash, a SuperGold card or monthly pass on our network we encourage you to download the NZ COVID Tracer app which records manual entries. Otherwise continue to track your journey by taking a note or photo of the orange capacity poster by the doors on each Metlink service, where you sat and the time you got on and off. Please respect the privacy of others and ensure images don’t include Metlink staff or other passengers.
Physical distancing
Although physical distancing isn’t required on board at this time, our orange signage will remain up to encourage distancing on board where possible. A reminder, please commit to good hand hygiene, wear a mask on public transport, maintain a physical distance where possible and continue to track your journey.
Contact tracing
It is now more important than ever to scan QR codes. From September, Metlink has QR codes displayed across all services, train station ticket offices, the kiosk at Wellington station and the East by West Ferry reception. You can scan these codes with either the NZ COVID Tracer App or Rippl App. If you are using the Rippl App, don’t forget to ‘check-out’ at the end of your journey. If you have a Snapper card, ensure you register it. By registering your Snapper, you will be able to view your travel history and it will make contact tracing easier and faster should there be COVID-19 exposure in our region.
How to keep a record of your Metlink journey
Not sure how to use them? Here is a handy guide to show you the correct way to wear and dispose of your mask.
Please be respectful. Follow the guidelines as Metlink frontline staff are not expected to enforce the wearing of face coverings or scanning of QR codes. Frontline staff are required to wear face coverings, unless it is unsafe to do so due to medical reasons or it impairs their vision.
Exemptions from wearing a face covering include:
- Children under 12 years of age
- People with a disability, a physical or mental health condition, if it is difficult to do so
- In an emergency, or if it unsafe to do so
- If people need to prove their identity, or
- To communicate with someone who is deaf
The use of face masks will complement the basic hygiene measures recommended by the Ministry of Health which are hand hygiene, physical distancing, coughing and sneezing into your elbow and regular cleaning of high touch services. Remember, stay home if you are sick and seek medical advice from your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5443. This helps us to help you, your whanau, our community and our staff keep safe.
During this time Total Mobility transport continues to operate. It is important to note that there will be no change to fares, which means Total Mobility will continue to cover 50% of the fare up to the maximum subsidy amount of $80, customers pay the remainder. Remember to present your Total Mobility card to the driver at the start of every trip. Total Mobility cardholders can continue to use their card to get the Accessible Concession on buses, trains and the harbour ferry.
Here’s what you need to know when travelling on Metlink school services:
- Students don’t have to wear face coverings on school services
- Students can sit together
- Keep a record or their journey
- Standing is now permitted
If students are using public transport, they must:
- Wear a face covering if they are 12 years or older
- Scan the QR codes
- Tag on/off with Snapper and register your Snapper card
- Have your ID ready for inspection on trains
Remember, Metlink staff are not expected to enforce the wearing of face coverings or scanning of QR codes. Similar to passengers, frontline staff are required to wear face coverings, unless it is unsafe to do so due to medical reasons or it impairs their vision.
Fares:
- Fares remain in place on bus services, but passengers are encouraged to use Snapper cards (external link)(external link)
- For more information on Snapper please visit the Snapper website (external link)(external link)or call 0800 555 345
- Cash can now be used on all bus services. Please try and have the exact change if possible or use a contactless method if you can
Other information:
Fares
- Fares remain in place on rail services. Passengers are encouraged to purchase 10 trip tickets or monthly passes
- Cash fares remain available both on board and at ticket offices. Please try to have the exact change if possible or use a contacless method if you can
Other information:
- Please stay clear of the door areas where staff are located unless boarding or exiting our services
- All ticketing, pricing and route information(external link)
- Timetable information(external link)
Fares
- Fares remain in place on all ferry services. This includes the option of cash payment
- Tickets are available on board the ferry as well as from the East by West Office
- Passengers are encouraged to use contactless payment options (EFTPOS or Credit Card) where possible
Other information:
Last published: Tuesday, 7 March 2023 at 11:39 am