There's hopes other regions can catch up to Wellington, on contactless public transport payments. 

The council decided to leap-frog the national ticketing system - concerned it would take too long. 

It's spent $5.5 million dollars setting up the system. 

Public Transport Users Association National Coordinator Jon Reeves says comparatively, the national system seems very expensive. 

"Just over $1.3 billion dollars to set up the entire system throughout the country."

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