Community Connect Concessions FAQs

Important news if you are trying to register the Community Connect Concession on your Bee Card

If you have a Community Services card, you can apply for the Community Connect concession, all you need is a registered Bee Card and your Community Services Card number.

If your dependent child meets the criteria for a Community Services card and you want to add a Community Connect concession to their registered Bee Card, MSD has advised you must contact them directly as they need to provide you with the correct details to apply for this. Call them on: 0800 999 999

Below are frequently asked questions around the concession for Community Services Card holders.

Click on a question to expand the answer. If you have a question that isn't addressed on this page, contact us here.

Why do I need to have a Registered Bee Card?

Your Regions Transport provider uses Bee Card statistics to plan its Public Transport Network and obtain funding from Central Government.

Using a registered Bee Card automatically assigns you your age based concession. You may be asked to provide proof of age identification.

Bee Cards are convenient. You do not need to carry cash to travel on public transport.

Does my concession automatically renew?

No. The Community Connect concession expires at the same time your Community Services Card expires.

You can renew the concession online when you get a new Community Services Card by logging into your account, going into the card you wish to renew the concession on, and reapplying for Community Connect.

I just got a new Community Services card – do I need to reapply?

Yes, you do need to reapply to get the new Community Services Card expiry date to apply to your concession.

What is the Community Connect Concession?

Community Connect is a central government funded concession that provides half price adult fares on public transport for Adult Community Services Cardholders. It starts on 1st July 2023.

If you have a current Community Services Card with an expiry date later than 1st July 2023, Community Connect Concession provides:

A free Bee Card if you don’t already have one
Half the adult fare on all services in Bee Card region with Bee Card Tag On/Tag Off

In Bee Card regions, you must apply for and validate the Community Connect Concession on your registered Bee Card to receive an automatic discount when you Tag On and Tag Off public transport .

I have a Community Services card. When and how should I apply for a Community Connect concession?

If you already receive discounted travel, especially SuperGold, Accessibility, Tertiary or age based concession holders, contact us here. before applying for Community Connect. Your region will advise you on the best next steps.

Older than 25? You can apply for Community Connect now. You will pay standard fares until the 1st July 2023. To apply, you will need your client number which you will find on the front of your Community Services Card (or the back of a combined SuperGold/Community Services Card). Your client number and date of birth will be verified by Work and Income, part of the Ministry of Social Development.

If you do not have a Bee Card, click the ‘Get a Card’ button to the right. Choose the Community Connect card type, and your free Bee Card will arrive with Community Connect loaded. Activate the card online when it arrives to be ready to start receiving discounted fares on 1st July 2023.

If you already have an unregistered Bee Card, click the ‘Register your Card’ button to the right. Create an account, register your card, and apply for Community Connect today using the ‘Add Community Connect’ button on the Manage Card page. You will be ready to start receiving discounted fares on 1st July 2023.

If you would like assistance to apply for a Bee Card, or need a Bee Card quicker than having one posted, by clicking on the list of regions at the bottom of this page for contact details or web information specific to your region, who can tell you how and where to apply in person.

How will I know my application has been successful?

During your application you will be guided through the process online – once a successful application is complete, you will clearly see a success message displayed on screen.

You can also log into the Bee Card website and check your concession yourself – once loaded, your Bee Card will show a Community Connect concession on the Manage Card page.

You can also contact your local Bee Card team or contact us here. who can tell you what concession is on your Bee Card.

Need more information or a helping hand?

Contact your local Bee Card team for advice or assistance. They can help you apply for Community Connect over the phone or in person, you will need your Bee Card if you have one, and your Community Services Card.

I don’t have a Bee Card. How do I get Community Services card Community Connect concession?

No problem, you can apply for a free Bee Card and the Community Connect Concession now.

Click the ‘Get a Card’ button to the right and apply for a free Community Connect Bee Card at the same time as validating your Community Connect concession. To apply, you will need your client number which you will find on the front of your Community Services Card (or the back of a combined SuperGold/Community Services Card). Your client number and date of birth will be verified by Work and Income, part of the Ministry of Social Development.

How many cards on my account can have the Community Connect concession?

A Bee Card account can have multiple cardholders against it.

If one or more of these cardholders has a current Community Services Card, they can apply for the Community Connect Concession to be loaded to their Bee Card.

I have another concession – explain how that works?

To find out how this works contact your regional office by clicking on the list of regions at the bottom of this page for contact details or web information specific to your region.

Can my child and/or other family use my concession?

No. But they should not have to. Age based concessions will apply instead.

Only the Community Services Cardholder is eligible for the concession on their own registered Bee Card.

Family members older than 25 are eligible if they also have a Community Services card under their own name. They should apply for the Community Connect concession on their own registered Bee Card.

How do I know if I need to apply or whether my current concession works better for me?

Talk to the transport team in your region.

Does the concession apply to my current discount?

No.

The Community Connect Concession will entitle you to a fare equal to half the full adult fare in the region you are travelling with your Bee Card.

What if I am a student 25 years + (plus)?

If you are an adult student who holds a current Community Services Card and doesn't qualify for one of the age based concessions, you are welcome to apply for Community Connect.

If you already receive a Student or Tertiary concession in your region, please check with your local bee card team by clicking on the list of regions at the bottom of this page for contact details or web information specific to your region first, as you may be best to keep your current concession.

What about Super Gold card holders?

If you travel mostly off peak in your region you are best sticking with the SuperGold Bee Card which entitles you to free off peak travel.

If you travel mostly in peak times, with little off peak travel, you may want to have two Bee Cards to receive both discounts – you cannot get two discounts on one Bee Card, so you must get an additional Bee Card.

If you aren’t sure which concession is best for you, check with your local bee card team by clicking on the list of regions at the bottom of this page for contact details or web information specific to your region.