In Wellington there are various ways you can pay for public transport electronically. Snapper and Smart Card. But which is better?
Snapper is used on the NZ Bus network of buses which is owned by infratel. Snapper is also used as a form of payment mainly in dairy's and can be topped at any store with a snapper machine. The idea is that you tag on, and tag off the bus every time you use it.
Smart Cards are used on the fleet of Mana Coach Services and Newlands Buses. The main difference is that you can top up at drivers but not at shops and can not be used as a form of payment.
Although the Snapper cards are more advanced and can be used in more places than Smart Cards you have to tag of the business when you leave otherwise you will continue to be charged money. With Smart Cards you simply tell the bus driver your destination for that trip. He will type in a few numbers and once you have placed your card or wallet on the scanner you will be printed and receipt, and then you board the bus. This is great because you don't need to tag off and many people do forget to tag off.
The advantage of Snapper is that its fast. Tag on, Tag Off. You don't need to say anything to the bus driver and they don't need to know where you are going. You just get on it. The biggest problem with snapper is topping up your balance. You have to find a diary to top it up at and it can not be done from the bus drivers. There is also a small fee for topping it up. With smart card you hand them drivers the money and they top it up instantly.
Conclusion:
Although snapper has some cool features, Smart Cards are more convenient for me anyway and it is easier to manage your balance and bus fares.
