Snapper Cards

Bryce from Titahi Bay

Hi everyone,
I have today picked up my new Snapper card for use on the local buses that are changing over from mid-July. I'm new to Snapper although it has been around for a while now. I'm shocked to learn at how archaic and restrictive the top-up options are with this card. I think a lot of people that don't know a lot about Snapper will be shocked to learn that you can no longer top-up with the driver (which is something I don't care about as having pre-loaded credit is a good thing that will expediate the boarding process) however, what is shocking is that to top-up on a computer, you need to purchase a one time feeder, which is a USB sticks that costs a whopping $25. A gadget just to top the thing up. Using your phone is just as bad. You have to have a NFC enabled Android phone. The next option is a physical retailer top-up which then costs you a 25c fee every time (so if you top-up $20.00 you actually only receive $19.75 in actual credit). So the only free option is to have the aforementioned NFC Android or physically make your way to a dedicated Snapper kiosk. In 2018, it is ridiculous, and unacceptable that you cannot top-up your electronic card for free on the Snapper website or use your phone to do so simply and for free like you can in every other country in the world that uses these electronic travel cards. I have written to Snapper to highlight these shortcomings and this serves as a headsup to you new Snapper uses so you don't all get caught out when it comes into effect from 15 July 2018.