Nelson City Council

Thousands of senior citizens in the Nelson region are eligible for free travel on off-peak public transport services on The BUS and SBL from Nelson to Richmond. You must hold a SuperGold card.

Free services

SuperGold Card holders can access free travel on scheduled off-peak bus services. Council has determined which specific services will be free for SuperGold Card holders in their regions. For detailed information on the services available in your region, contact your council.

Off-peak times

Councils will be funded for SuperGold Card holders who travel between the hours of 9am to 3pm and from 6:30pm to the end of service on weekdays, and any time on weekends and public holidays. Councils may choose to provide free travel outside these hours at their own expense. For detailed information on the services available in your region, contact your council.

Identification needed to travel for free

You will only need to show your SuperGold Card to the bus driver. No other identification will be accepted if you don’t have your card.

What if the driver doesn’t accept my card?

Drivers have been instructed to accept all valid SuperGold Cards for free travel on eligible services. If you experience any difficulties using your card on eligible services please contact your council.

Long distance travel

Funding applies only to public transport travel within a region. It will have the same service coverage as a region’s existing public transport services. For detailed information on the services available in your region, contact Council.

Does the scheme apply to Total Mobility?

No. The SuperGold Card concessions target scheduled off-peak public transport services only.

Disabled users

While there are some SuperGold Card holders with a disability who are unable to use conventional scheduled public transport, a growing proportion of the urban bus fleet now have super-low floors which are more accessible.

International pensioners

This policy is only for New Zealand residents who hold a SuperGold Card.

How to get a SuperGold Card

The SuperGold Card is available to all New Zealanders aged 65 years and over who are permanently resident in New Zealand. It is automatically issued to those who receive the New Zealand Superannuation or the Veterans Pension. If you have not received your card, or if you have misplaced it, call the SuperGold Card Centre on 0800 25 45 65, e-mail info@supergold.govt.nz or download a copy of an application at www.supergold.govt.nz. You can also apply for a card at any Work and Income Service Centre.

More on the SuperGold Card

The SuperGold Card is available to all eligible New Zealanders aged 65 years or over and those under this age who receive the New Zealand Superannuation or the Veterans Pension. The card provides access to a wide range of business discounts, government and local authority services, entitlements and concessions. The card was launched in August 2007.

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is the lead government agency for this project, with support from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). Regional and district councils are responsible for delivering the services in their respective regions. NZTA is allocating funding for the services and working with these organisations to ensure the consistent delivery of services. Councils are supporting this initiative.