11 November 2011 - Auckland Transport has awarded the tender to supply smartcards for the full stage roll out of Auckland’s HOP integrated smartcard to a joint consortium comprising Placard and NZ Post. The full stage roll-out of HOP will add trains, ferries and all bus operators to the mix.

Auckland Integrated Fares System Programme Director, Greg Ellis says, “Placard is a leading smartcard manufacturer and provider of card management solutions in our region. Placard’s partnering with NZ Post adds specific local know-how which will underpin the distribution of the manufactured cards.

“The cards will be distributed to both point-of-sale as well as direct to customers who purchase them online”.

Mr Ellis says, “The first phase of HOP was rolled out very successfully in May this year onto NZ Bus services.

“The final phase of HOP will begin mid next year and be completed by the end of 2012, with the introduction of trains and ferries initially, followed by all bus operators. Prior to that Auckland Transport will be undertaking an extended field trial of the system utilising selected users. This type of closed pilot follows international best practice for the introduction of a new public transport ticketing system”.

Ganesh Ganeshalingam, Placard’s Managing Director says, “We are proud to have been selected by Auckland Transport to manufacture and personalise cards for the HOP integrated smartcard working closely with NZ Post for distribution of cards to the market. We are delighted to be part of the full stage roll out and look forward to working with Auckland Transport on this exciting project”.

For media inquiries please call: Sharon Hunterl Communications Manager, Auckland Transport 021 545 230, Sharon.hunter@aucklandtransport.govt.nz www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz

About Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport is a Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council. It is responsible for all of the region’s transport services (excluding state highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport services for passengers.

About Placard

Placard is a wholly owned Australian company, which has been in existence since 1987 as a manufacturer of plastic cards. Since then, Placard has continued to expand, and now provides comprehensive card program management products including Secure Financial cards, Driver Licences, Medicare cards, Gift cards etc to over 500 clients in Australia and New Zealand and employs in excess of 160 staff. Placard is a well established, quality, total card solutions provider and has a reputation of meeting its commitments to its clients and consistently achieves service levels beyond its clients’ expectations.

Placard is the only secure card manufacturer in Australia and is recognised as the market leader with a substantial card personalisation and fulfillment bureau.

Placard’s secure manufacturing and bureau facilities are Visa, MasterCard and American Express accredited to the highest level including EMV accreditation and also accredited to manufacture Dual Interface cards.

Placard’s core competencies lie in the design, printing, manufacture, personalisation and mailing of ISO Standard secure and non secure plastic cards with Bureau services encompassing the latest Visa and MasterCard EMV standards for embossing, manufacture of Dual Interface cards, magnetic stripe encoding, indent printing, thermal print flat graphics, high quality Drop on Demand personalisation, laser printing processes and intelligent matching & mailing services.

For more information, please visit www.placard.com.au or call +61 3 9722 5200