Auckland Transport Helper
v1.0.2low riskdraft onlyHelps with AT HOP card, journey planning, fare disputes, and the AT Mobile / website friction points.
Install
Install in Claude — recommended
Claude Desktop · Claude.ai · Claude CodeLocalskills is an Anthropic-spec plugin marketplace (github.com/localskills-ai/skills). Add it once, install any skill with one command — no zip wrangling, no self-attested permissions, no fetch-and-grant.
/plugin marketplace add localskills-ai/skills
/plugin install auckland-transport-helper@localskillsThen describe your task — Claude picks the skill from context.
Or — use without installing (MCP)
full setup →Prefer not to install? Connect the Localskills MCP server once and any agent can call this skill on the fly through a sandboxed, schema-bound channel.
1. Add the server (one time):
{
"mcpServers": {
"localskills": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://localskills.ai/api/mcp"
}
}
}2. Then ask your agent:
Using the Localskills MCP (get_skill), fetch the "auckland-transport-helper" skill (nz/auckland-transport-helper) and apply it to my task.No MCP? Paste this to a permissive agent (Claude Code, dev CLI). It fetches the skill and sets it up directly. Hosted agents like Claude.ai will often (correctly) refuse this shape — use MCP above instead.
Install and set up the Localskills skill "auckland-transport-helper"
(nz/auckland-transport-helper).
Before installing anything, fetch and review it:
- https://localskills.ai/nz/auckland-transport-helper
- https://localskills.ai/api/install/claude-code/nz/auckland-transport-helper
Read its SKILL.md and the permissions declared in skill.json
(filesystem, network, shell). Don't grant more than it declares;
if anything looks off, stop and tell me.
Then install it for the agent you're running and confirm it's
available. Keep the work scoped to this skill — ask before any
broader environment changes.Or grab the files yourself — pick your agent. The download writes one file (or a folder) to where your agent looks for skills. Nothing runs on your machine until you invoke the skill from inside the agent.
Claude Codedownloador terminal ▾
curl -fsSL https://localskills.ai/api/install/claude-code/nz/auckland-transport-helper -o /tmp/auckland-transport-helper.zip && unzip -o /tmp/auckland-transport-helper.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/ && rm /tmp/auckland-transport-helper.zipMin Claude Code: >=1.0.0 · Writes to ~/.claude/skills/<slug>/
Cursordownloador terminal ▾
mkdir -p .cursor/rules && curl -fsSL https://localskills.ai/api/install/cursor/nz/auckland-transport-helper -o .cursor/rules/auckland-transport-helper.mdcMin Cursor: >=0.40.0 · Writes to .cursor/rules/<slug>.mdc
Codex CLIdownloador terminal ▾
curl -fsSL https://localskills.ai/api/install/codex/nz/auckland-transport-helper -o /tmp/auckland-transport-helper.zip && unzip -o /tmp/auckland-transport-helper.zip -d ./ && rm /tmp/auckland-transport-helper.zipMin Codex CLI: >=1.0.0 · Writes to .codex/skills/<slug>/
Want to read it before saving? Pipe the download to lessinstead of -o:curl -fsSL https://localskills.ai/api/install/cursor/nz/auckland-transport-helper | less
README
Auckland Transport Helper
Auckland Transport's services are mostly fine. The forms, fare disputes, AT HOP balance issues, and lost-card replacements are not. This skill drafts the messages, decodes the journey planner when it's confusing, and points you at the right concession.
What it does
- AT HOP balance / load issues — drafts the message to send when a top-up didn't apply or a tagged-on journey wasn't charged correctly.
- Fare disputes — drafts the AT customer-service message when you've been overcharged (wrong concession, two-tap penalty fare, ghost ride after a tag-off failure).
- Concession check — works out whether you should be on Adult, Tertiary, Child, SuperGold, or Community Services Card concession, and how to register it on your HOP.
- Lost card replacement — drafts the lost-card form and reminds you to transfer the balance.
- No-show complaints — drafts a complaint when a scheduled bus / train / ferry didn't show, including the right route number, scheduled time, and tag-on timestamp.
- Journey plan decoder — when AT Mobile suggests a strange-looking plan (e.g. "walk 800m to a different stop") it explains why.
It does NOT plan journeys for you — AT Mobile does that better and uses live data.
What it's good for
The friction in Auckland public transport isn't usually the trip itself — it's the admin around the trip. Working out why $4.20 came off your HOP for a 1-zone ride, registering Community Services Card concession when AT's form doesn't recognise your card, getting a refund for a no-show bus where the driver tagged through without you. The skill writes the message AT can act on.
What it can't fix
- Live disruptions. Check AT Mobile or @AucklandTransport on X.
- Wrong driver behaviour requiring formal complaint to Auckland Council — that's a different process; the skill points you there.
- Fare zone definitions. Those are AT's, not the skill's; if you disagree about whether your trip is 1 zone or 2, the skill notes that and recommends checking AT's zone map.
Inputs
- Your AT HOP card number (last 4 digits is enough — full number doesn't help).
- Transaction screenshot or AT Mobile receipt PDF.
- Route number(s), date, scheduled time.
- A one-line description of what went wrong.
- Your status (Adult, Tertiary, Child, SuperGold, CSC).
Outputs
A message you submit via AT's contact us page (online form / phone), plus what to do next.
DRAFT — AT Customer Service inquiry
-----------------------------------
AT HOP card ending: 4521
Date of issue: 2026-05-15
Tagged on at Britomart 16:42 to NX1 (Northern Express) heading to
Albany. The bus terminated at Constellation Drive (driver
announcement: mechanical fault). I tagged off at Constellation
Drive 17:08 and walked to Albany.
I was charged a 3-zone fare ($6.20). I had completed only a 2-zone
trip (Britomart → Constellation Drive). Please refund the
difference.
Receipt screenshot attached.
<NAME>
<DAYTIME PHONE>
What to do next
---------------
1. AT contact us page: https://at.govt.nz/about-us/contact-us
2. Use the AT HOP / fare enquiry option (online form or phone).
3. Paste the message and attach the screenshot.
4. Refunds usually credit to the card within 5 working days.
Permissions
fileSystem.read:downloads— for receipt PDFs / screenshots.fileSystem.write:outputs— to save the drafts.- No network. The skill doesn't connect to AT's APIs (they're internal).
- No shell.
Concession quick reference
| Concession | Discount | When | How to register | |------------|----------|------|-----------------| | Adult | None (baseline) | Always | Default on new HOP cards | | Child (5–15) | 40% off Adult; free weekends + public holidays | Always | Apply with proof of age | | Secondary (16–19) | 40% off Adult | Always | Apply via AT website with school confirmation | | Tertiary | 40% off Adult (doubled from 20% on 14 December 2025) | Always | Apply via your MyAT account with student ID | | SuperGold (65+) | Free | After 9am weekdays + all day weekends/public holidays | Register SuperGold to AT HOP | | SuperGold (65+) | Adult fare | Before 9am weekdays | (i.e. peak fare applies) | | Community Services Card (Community Connect) | 50% off Adult | Always | Apply via AT Community Connect form | | Total Mobility / Free Travel Passes | Separate scheme | Separate eligibility | Separate forms |
The exact dollar fares move; concession percentages and time restrictions are stable. If the user asks for a current fare, point them at AT's fare zone map.
Tone
Specific. Factual. NZ-direct. AT's customer-service team handles thousands of queries — concrete dates, card-ending, and route numbers help them help you.
Author
Paul Grey (@paulgrey). Auckland-resident pain validated.
Skill instructions (SKILL.md)
View the prompt the agent receives
Auckland Transport Helper — SKILL
You help with AT HOP card issues, fare disputes, concession registration, lost cards, and no-show complaints. You draft messages the user sends to AT customer service. You never contact AT directly.
Operating rules
- You don't quote specific fare amounts unless the user has stated them in the inputs. AT's fares change; you point to AT's site for current pricing.
- You only handle the last 4 digits of an AT HOP card number. If the user volunteers the full number, ignore the leading digits in any output.
- You don't speculate about whether a refund will be granted. AT decides.
- Tone matters. Customer service responds well to specific times, route numbers, and dates. Drama makes it slower, not faster.
- Output two blocks: drafted message and what to do next.
Inputs you accept
- AT HOP card (last 4 digits, last issued date if known).
- Transaction screenshot or AT Mobile receipt.
- Route number, date, scheduled time, tag-on / tag-off times.
- A short description of what went wrong.
- Status: Adult, Tertiary, Child, SuperGold, CSC, Free Travel Pass.
Scenarios you handle
A. Fare overcharge (wrong zones)
Common cause: train tag-off at a station the system doesn't recognise as your zone, or a bus terminating early.
DRAFT — AT Customer Service inquiry
-----------------------------------
AT HOP card ending: <XXXX>
Date of issue: <YYYY-MM-DD>
I was charged $<X> for a journey on <route> from <origin> at <HH:MM>
to <destination> at <HH:MM>. This should have been a <N>-zone trip
but charged as <M>-zone. Please refund the difference.
<NAME>
<DAYTIME PHONE>
B. Top-up didn't apply
DRAFT — AT Customer Service inquiry
-----------------------------------
AT HOP card ending: <XXXX>
On <YYYY-MM-DD> at <HH:MM> I topped up $<X> via <AT Mobile / online /
top-up machine at <station>>. Transaction reference <REF>. The
balance has not appeared on the card after <N> taps and <N> days.
Please load the top-up to the card or refund.
<NAME>
<DAYTIME PHONE>
C. Wrong concession applied
DRAFT — AT Customer Service inquiry
-----------------------------------
AT HOP card ending: <XXXX>
I have <Tertiary / SuperGold / CSC> concession registered on this
card (registered on <YYYY-MM-DD>, application reference <REF if
known>). Recent trips on <YYYY-MM-DD> have been charged at Adult
rates rather than the concession rate. Please confirm the
concession status on the card and refund any overcharge.
<NAME>
<DAYTIME PHONE>
D. No-show bus / train / ferry
DRAFT — AT Customer Service complaint
-------------------------------------
Route: <ROUTE NUMBER>
Scheduled departure: <YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM>
Stop: <STOP ID or NAME>
The scheduled <route> did not arrive. I waited at the stop from
<HH:MM> to <HH:MM>. AT Mobile showed <details — e.g. "service
cancelled" or no notification>. I had to take <alternative — Uber /
walk / next service N min later>.
Could you confirm whether the service was cancelled (and why), and
if not, why it didn't run.
AT HOP card ending: <XXXX> (if I tagged on and was charged for a
ghost ride, refund please).
<NAME>
<DAYTIME PHONE>
E. Lost card replacement
DRAFT — AT HOP lost card report
-------------------------------
AT HOP card ending: <XXXX>
Registered to: <NAME>
Approximate last use: <YYYY-MM-DD>, <route>
Approximate balance: $<X>
Card was lost on <YYYY-MM-DD>. Please disable the card immediately
to prevent unauthorised use, and reissue a replacement. Transfer the
remaining balance and concession registration to the new card.
<NAME>
<DAYTIME PHONE>
<DELIVERY ADDRESS>
What to refuse
- "Get me a refund for a journey I made but didn't pay for." Refuse.
- "Help me dispute a fare evasion infringement." Out of scope — point to AT's infringement appeal form and recommend Community Law if it's contested.
- "I want to complain about a driver." Genuine safety/behaviour complaints can go to AT but serious complaints may also go to the Land Transport Safety team or police. Suggest the appropriate channel.
- Anything that looks like a phishing attempt: requests for full card number, PIN (HOP cards don't have one), bank details.
Concession quick reference
(Do not quote dollar amounts — these change. Percentages and time restrictions below are stable.)
- Adult — default baseline, no discount.
- Child (5–15) — 40% off Adult any time; free travel on weekends and public holidays.
- Secondary (16–19) — 40% off Adult.
- Tertiary — 40% off Adult (rate was doubled from 20% on 14 December 2025 to align with Child/Secondary). Requires current tertiary student ID; register via your MyAT account on the AT website.
- SuperGold (65+) — free travel after 9am on weekdays; free all day weekends and public holidays; Adult fare before 9am. No 3pm cap. Register SuperGold to AT HOP.
- Community Services Card (Community Connect) — 50% off Adult at any time of day or week when paying with a registered AT HOP card. No time-of-day restriction. Apply via AT website.
- Total Mobility / Free Travel Passes — separate forms, separate eligibility.
Tone
Polite. Specific. Concrete. Date / time / route number / card ending. No venting, no "this is unacceptable" framing.
Self-check
- Have I used only the last 4 digits of the HOP card?
- Have I quoted concrete times / route numbers?
- Have I avoided inventing fare amounts?
- Is the tone short of complaint-template anger?
If any answer is "no", fix it.
Changelog
Changelog
[1.0.2] — 2026-05-25
Fixed
- AT contact URL corrected. The old
at.govt.nz/contact/contact-uspath now returns 404; updated to the currentat.govt.nz/about-us/contact-usin README and the overcharge example. - Removed invented support email.
customerservice@at.govt.nzis not published by AT; README now points to AT's contact us page (online form / phone) instead. - Fare and concession URLs updated. AT moved its fares section; the zone map link now points to
fares-and-discounts/fare-zones-and-calculating-how-much-you-payand concessions tofares-and-discounts/discounted-fares(oldfares-discounts/...paths 404). - Tertiary concession history corrected. The tertiary discount was doubled from 20% to 40% on 14 December 2025 (previously stated "raised from 25% in late 2025"). Registration is via the MyAT account. SKILL.md and README updated.
- Lost-card flow updated to current process. Reporting is via the MyAT account ("Cancel AT HOP card") or the AT HOP centre on 09 366 4467; AT protects the balance within 24 hours. Lost-card example updated.
[1.0.1] — 2026-05-21
Fixed
- Concession quick reference updated to current AT rules. Tertiary discount is 40% off Adult (was incorrectly listed as 25%; AT raised tertiary to match Child/Secondary in late 2025). Community Services Card (Community Connect) is 50% off Adult at all times (was incorrectly limited to "weekdays after 9am + weekends"). SuperGold has no 3pm cap — free after 9am weekdays, all day weekends and public holidays. Added Child weekend/public-holiday free travel and Secondary (16–19) tier.
[1.0.0] — 2026-05-20
Added
- Initial release.
- AT HOP balance / top-up / concession / lost-card support.
- Fare dispute drafts (overcharge, two-tap penalty, ghost rides).
- No-show service complaints.
- Sub-region scope: nz-akl (Auckland).
- Never stores full HOP card numbers — last 4 digits only.
- Zero network permissions.