Most of Auckland's 180,000 SuperGold cardholders have yet to act to keep their right to free public transport from July.
From 1 July Supergold cardholders will have to get a $10 AT HOP travel card, with their free travel entitlement embedded in it, and electronically swipe it on each trip. Photo: 123RF
Under a government rule change late last year, those aged over 65 with SuperGold cards need to get the Auckland Transport (AT) HOP travelcard by the start of July or lose their concession.
Although 44,000 already had the HOP card before the sign-up campaign began, and another 7000 have taken the first step, 113,000 have yet to sign up.
Auckland Transport did not know how many SuperGold card holders used public transport, but it estimated about half would not bother to sign up to keep the concession.
In the past three weeks, it has issued 16,000 of the new electronic cards that will be required for free off-peak travel in Auckland from 1 July.