Who is eligible
If you have a Community Services Card, you can get the Community Connect concession. This gives you a 50% discount on most buses, trains and ferries.
Who is not eligible
You cannot get the concession if:
- you do not have a Community Services Card
- your Community Services Card is expired
- you do not live in Auckland.
Ways to apply
You can only apply for this concession online.
There are 3 ways to apply. You can:
- apply with an existing AT HOP card — one you’ve already registered in your MyAT account
- get a new AT HOP card shipped to you — we’ll load the concession on the HOP card and register it to your MyAT account for you
- apply without a MyAT account and get a new AT HOP card shipped to you.
If you're applying for someone under the age of 15, you cannot apply with an existing AT HOP card. You will need to get a new HOP card shipped to you.
- A MyAT account.
- A registered AT HOP card.
- A Community Services Card.
How to apply
1. Go to the application form
Go to 'Apply for a concession' in MyAT.
You will be asked to log in.
2. Fill out the form
The form has 4 steps.
- Select the AT HOP card you will keep the concession on. You will have the option to switch between profiles to find the right card.
- Under 'Select a discount', choose ‘Community Connect (50% off)'.
- Enter your Ministry of Social Development (MSD) client number and check the consent boxes. When you select ‘Apply’, we will check the details you entered match those held by MSD.
- You will find out the outcome of your application.
3. Wait for confirmation
We’ll email you to let you know we’ve received your application, and again when your concession is loaded. This can take 1 to 3 working days. If you use your AT HOP card in the meantime, adult fares will apply.
You can use the concession one hour after we email you.
4. Tag on to activate your concession
Tap your AT HOP card on a card reader or electronic gate at a station or on a bus, train or ferry.
If you do not tag on within 60 days, your concession will expire. Your card will go back to adult fares. If this happens, contact us and we can reactivate your concession.
- A MyAT account.
- A Community Services Card.
How to apply
1. Fill out the application form
- Go to 'Apply for a Community Connect Concession'.
- Select ’Yes, I have an account’ then ‘Continue to application’.
- You’ll be asked to log in to MyAT if you have not already.
- Under ‘Choose a card type’, select ‘New AT HOP card’ then ‘Continue’.
- Select a profile.
- Enter your details and apply.
2. Wait for your AT HOP card to be delivered
We will send you a new AT HOP card with the concession loaded and ready to use.
NZ Post will deliver it within around 10 working days.
3. Tag on to activate your concession
Tap your AT HOP card on a card reader or electronic gate at a station or on a bus, train or ferry.
If you do not tag on within 60 days, your concession will expire. Your card will go back to adult fares. If this happens, contact us and we can reactivate your concession.
- A Community Services card.
- Your postal address.
How to apply
1. Fill out the application form
- Go to 'Apply for a Community Connect Concession'.
- Select ‘No, I don’t have an account’, then ‘Continue to application’.
- Enter your name, date of birth, Community Services Card details and contact details.
- Check the consent boxes and select ‘Apply’.
2. Wait for your AT HOP card to be delivered
We will send you a new AT HOP card with the concession loaded and ready to use.
NZ Post will deliver it within around 10 working days.
3. Tag on to activate your concession
Tap your AT HOP card on a card reader or electronic gate at a station or on a bus, train or ferry.
If you do not tag on within 60 days, your concession will expire. Your card will go back to adult fares. If this happens, contact us and we can reactivate your concession.
Get help with your application
You can visit a Work and Income NZ service centre in Auckland if you:
- need help with applying
- do not have a device or access to the internet.
To find a service centre, go to Work and Income service centres (opens in a new tab).
The Ministry of Social Development cannot apply the concession to your AT HOP card.
When will your concession expire
Your Community Connect concession will expire when your Community Services Card does.
We will regularly check your eligibility with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). If you are no longer eligible, we will let you know your concession is ending. You can still use your AT HOP card for travel, but you’ll be charged adult fares.
If you become eligible again, you can reapply for the Community Connect concession with your new Community Services Card.
Travelling with the concession
The concession is loaded on a registered AT HOP card. You will need to tag on and off with that HOP card when you travel to get discounted fares. If you use cash or contactless, you will pay the full adult fare.
You cannot use the tertiary concession for:
- Rakino Island or Waiheke Island ferries
- buses, trains and ferries to and from other regions.
Carry your Community Services Card with you
While travelling on the network, Transport Officers may ask for proof of ID.
Lost, stolen or damaged cards
Your concession is attached to your AT HOP card. This means if you lose your card and need a replacement, you need to transfer the concession onto your new card. You can also transfer any remaining balance from the old card onto the new.
To find out how to cancel a card and transfer the balance, go to Help or problems with your AT HOP card.
Some people can get more than one concession
You can only keep one concession on each AT HOP card. If you get another concession, you will need to put it on another card.
You can only use one concession on each journey.
To see what concession you might be able to apply for, use our Concession eligibility checker.
What is a Community Services Card
The Community Services Card is issued by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). For more information, go to the Work and Income website (opens in a new tab).