The Transport Minister has revived the possibility of Auckland's biggest bus operator being off the road if a new ticketing system is further delayed.
A new electronic ticketing system developed for the Government and Auckland's transport agencies is due to begin operating at the end of November.
But the Snapper system which is used by NZ Bus has yet to be made compatible with it.
Computability was a requirement of a contract with the agencies.
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says he expects the companies to meet the deadline.
Mr Brownlee says if they do not, then NZ Bus will not be able to carry passengers and he can not believe such a large company would allow that to happen.
NZ Bus and sister company Snapper have been unavailable for comment.
