Infratil supports a national standard for integrated ticketing, but notes the standard will come in after it and councils have invested millions in building systems.

The Wellington-based owner of the Snapper ticketing and payment card system said in its latest investor update that the New Zealand Transport Agency was developing a national standard for integrated ticketing.

Infratil is confident that Snapper is flexible and open and considers that the system was provided without tax or ratepayer support.

An integrated ticketing system for public transport could save Auckland $70 million in costs, Snapper Services says.

The integrated ticketing company is urging Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and New Zealand Transport Agency to use the smartcard system on public transport such as ferries and buses.

Snapper chief executive Miki Szikszai said 90% of Auckland’s public transport could have integrated ticketing services in place by 2011 in time for the Rugby World Cup using the technology.

Funding for the redevelopment of New Lynn has been secured which will go towards upgrading the town centre as well as the rail and road.

The West Auckland area aspires to have a town centre like that of Newmarket according to Waitakere City Council's website.

“New Lynn has a future that one day will see it rival places like Newmarket as one of the most prestigious town centres in the Auckland region,” the website said.