This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'New Ticketing System Timeframe'.



Our Reference:A1293356
12 November 2019
Aaron Rumpler 
Email: [FYI request #11458 email]
Dear Mr Rumpler,
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) Request
We refer to your information request dated 15 October 2019. A copy of your request is 
set out below:
I am enquiring about the delay in rolling out the new Init bus ticketing system. Specifically:
 The  reasons  for  the  delay  (a  previous  response  to  a  related  request  for  the 
reasons  for  the  delay  (https://fyi.org.nz/request/9445-new-ticketing-system-
timeframe) did not answer the question). 

 The current expected timeframe for the rollout.
I have been informed by Otago Regional Council of the following in response to your 
questions:
Ensuring the new Regional Integrated Ticketing System (RITS) is fully tested and meets 
the  expectations  for  the  nine-council  consortium  has  taken  longer  than  initially 
envisaged. With millions of passenger trips taken every year, we believe investing more 
time in the testing phase is important to ensure the rollout phase goes as smoothly as 
possible for our customers. 
The  technical  complexity  of  the  project  has  required  a  commensurate  depth  of  Site 
Acceptance  Testing  (SAT)  and  User  Acceptance  Testing  (UAT)  throughout  New 
Zealand, to ensure the best level of readiness for customers at the Pilot Phase. We have 
placed significant emphasis on comprehensive system testing to ensure confidence that 
at the time of Go-Live there will be minimal customer disruption. 
RITS will be rolled out sequentially through the nine participating regions starting with 
Northland  as  a  live  test  region.  Northland  will  be  followed  by  Horizons  (Manawatū-
Whanganui)  which  will  sequentially  begin  in  Whanganui,  then  the  rest  of  the  region. 
Waikato will commence live testing late November, with full implementation in February. 
The other regions will follow, with Otago scheduled to make the switch in March 2020.


You  have  the  right  to  seek  an  investigation  and  review  by  the  Ombudsman  of  this 
response.  Information  about  how  to  make  a  complaint  is  available  at 
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602. 
If you have any queries concerning the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
James Gribble
Administration Officer-  Legal 

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