Est. 1972
Dogs change colour
a name you can trust! Thursday, June 16, 2016
By Marianne Kelly
S
enior citizens, believing they must present identification in person to load their SuperGold AT HOP card concessions, have been lining up at Auckland Transport customer service centres. At times long queues have formed at the Botany Town Centre AT site taking some people one-anda-half hours to get their cards loaded. An AT spokesman says the Botany centre is the only location in East Auckland that provides an inperson option to load the SuperGold concession. But they can get their concession loaded onto the card by post or online at the AT website as well as in person. However Howick ward councillor Dick Quax says he has found obtaining the new seniors gold card is not quite as simple as has been made out by AT and is concerned that many elderly people are put off by the convoluted process. “When I bought my card which cost $15 and registered it on line, I noticed that the $5 that I understood was to be loaded onto
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my card did not show on my account. “When I called AT to ask why this was, I was told that I needed to provide my SuperGold card at the AT Botany service centre. This despite having presented my SuperGold card when I purchased the AT HOP card. “When I presented myself at the service centre I was told my HOP card was invalid. AT now has my $15 and my card – it’s been frustrating and time consuming.” Once people have their gold HOP card they then have 60 days to activate it. If the card is not activated they will lose the $5 and free travel concessions. Mr Quax and Howick ward councillor Sharon Stewart are visiting retirement villages and talking to seniors to alert them to the fact that they will lose their travel entitlement if they do not get a new HOP card from Auckland Transport by the end of the month. As well as the Botany AT service centre Gold AT HOP cards can also be purchased at Pakuranga Lotto, Paper Plus Highland Park, Bucklands Superette and Paper Plus Howick. The Government
Howick Village ���������������������������� P7 What’s On ������������������������������������ P18 Feedback �������������������������������������� P19
Taking the plunge – page 2
changed the rules late last year, requiring SuperGold card holders in Auckland to get a special version of the city’s electronic travel card if they wanted to travel free. AT says it has “Swap to AT HOP” customer information packs that identify the options a customer can follow to obtain an AT HOP card and load a SuperGold concession. They can be ordered online or by phoning 0800-284-659. The spokesman says AT has hired extra staff to support the transition to the AT HOP card. It’s running an advertising campaign and has sent out communication about the “Swap to AT HOP” to all AT HOP customers with a request to help friends and family members make the switch. The detailed “Swap to AT HOP” information booklet is available at other channels, such as AT HOP retailers, Transdev ticket offices and some council locations, such as libraries. ■■ A mobile SuperGold site will be set up at 9.30am3.30pm on June 17 and 18 at ChinaTown, 262 Ti Rakau Drive, Burswood to assist senior citizens swapping to AT HOP cards.
Our Homes Today ��������������� P21-23 Classified ������������������������������ P24-30 Sport ����������������������������������������P31,32
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cool: Maude Hugues braves the icy water in the Pohutukawa Coast Rotary Anniversary Mid Winter Plunge at the weekend. Times photo Wayne Martin
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Seniors queuing for HOP cards
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