BAJ Gives Drivers More Flexibility with Cash, EFTPOS and Card Payments

BAJ drivers now have more flexibility in how they receive payment for completed rides.

Instead of requiring every passenger payment to pass through the same system, BAJ supports different payment methods depending on what the customer selects when making the booking. This means eligible drivers can receive some payments directly from passengers, while other payments can be processed securely through the BAJ platform.

For drivers already operating their own taxi, rideshare or passenger-service business, this makes it easier to continue using existing payment facilities while accepting bookings through BAJ.

Customers Can Pay the Driver Directly

If a customer chooses cash or EFTPOS for an eligible booking, the driver can collect the payment directly.

Drivers who carry their own EFTPOS machine can process the customer’s payment using their own merchant terminal. The money then goes through the driver’s own payment provider and is settled directly to the driver’s merchant or bank account.

BAJ does not hold money that has been collected using the driver’s own EFTPOS facility.

This can be particularly useful for taxi and rideshare drivers who already operate an EFTPOS terminal as part of their everyday business.

Where appropriate for the booking, a direct EFTPOS payment can also be completed before the journey begins. The driver simply needs to make sure that the amount being charged matches the booking or applicable fare.

What Happens to the BAJ Platform Fee?

Even when the passenger pays the driver directly, the BAJ side of the booking remains automatic.

For services operating through the BAJ prepaid wallet, the applicable platform charge is deducted directly from the driver’s BAJ wallet.

This means drivers do not need to separately calculate or send the BAJ fee after every cash or EFTPOS ride.

Drivers simply need to maintain enough balance in their wallet before accepting bookings. If there is not enough available balance to cover the applicable platform charge, the driver may not be able to accept another ride until the wallet has been recharged.

The passenger payment and the BAJ platform charge therefore remain two separate parts of the same booking: the passenger can pay the driver directly, while the platform automatically manages the applicable BAJ deduction.

Registered Card Payments Work Differently

Customers can also choose to pay using a credit or debit card registered with BAJ.

When this payment method is selected, the driver does not need to use their own EFTPOS terminal or collect the fare from the passenger.

The payment is processed through BAJ, and the driver’s eligible earnings are paid after the transaction has settled.

BAJ currently aims to pay the driver’s applicable earnings within three working days after settlement, subject to successful payment processing and any normal adjustments associated with the transaction.

Drivers should always check the payment method shown for the ride before asking the passenger for payment. If the customer has already paid by registered card through BAJ, the driver should not collect the same fare again.

A Simple Example

Suppose a passenger books a ride and chooses EFTPOS.

The driver accepts the booking, completes the passenger’s payment on their own EFTPOS machine and receives the money through their own merchant account. The applicable BAJ platform charge is automatically handled through the driver’s wallet.

For another ride, the passenger might select a registered credit card instead.

In that case, the driver completes the journey without taking payment personally. BAJ processes the passenger’s payment and the driver’s share is paid through the normal settlement process.

The booking experience stays within BAJ in both situations. Only the way the passenger’s payment is collected changes.

Receipts Are Still Available

Direct payment does not mean there is no record of the journey.

Once a ride is completed correctly in the BAJ Driver App, the booking remains recorded within the platform.

Where available, the driver can send the customer a trip receipt electronically. Drivers using their own compatible receipt printer may also provide a printed copy if they prefer.

If the passenger paid through the driver’s personal EFTPOS machine, the driver can also provide the receipt generated by that terminal.

This gives passengers a clear record of the journey regardless of whether they paid through BAJ or directly to the driver.

Why BAJ Is Offering More Payment Choice

BAJ is designed to support different types of drivers and transport businesses rather than forcing every operator into one payment model.

Some drivers already have their own EFTPOS facilities and prefer receiving the fare directly. Other drivers may find registered-card payments through BAJ more convenient.

Supporting both options gives drivers more control over how they operate while also giving customers additional ways to pay.

The important part is that the booking itself remains properly recorded and completed through BAJ.

Accepted BAJ Rides Should Stay on BAJ

Drivers should continue to complete accepted BAJ bookings through the platform.

If a driver has already accepted and collected a BAJ passenger, cancelling the booking simply to continue the same journey privately can create payment, customer-support and booking-record problems.

The same applies to asking a passenger to cancel a BAJ ride so that the driver can complete the journey outside the platform.

BAJ systems can review unusual booking and cancellation activity. Where there is evidence of deliberate misuse, payment avoidance or fraudulent activity, BAJ may review the driver’s payment options or account access.

This is not intended to affect genuine cancellations. Drivers can still cancel when there is a legitimate safety, operational or other genuine reason.

BAJ Can Adjust Payment Access Where Necessary

Most drivers will simply continue using the payment methods available to them normally.

However, if BAJ identifies repeated payment disputes, duplicate charging, suspicious cancellations or other serious misuse, BAJ may restrict the payment methods available to that particular driver.

For example, direct cash or EFTPOS collection could be removed from an account and future customer payments may instead need to be processed through the BAJ platform.

This helps protect passengers, drivers and the integrity of the overall booking system.

What Drivers Need to Remember

The payment process is intentionally simple.

When the booking says Cash, collect cash directly.

When the booking says EFTPOS, eligible drivers can use their own payment terminal and receive the payment directly.

When the booking says Registered Card, the payment is processed through BAJ and the driver’s eligible earnings are paid through the settlement process.

For wallet-based services, keep enough balance available so applicable BAJ charges can be deducted automatically.

And before requesting money from a passenger, always check the payment method shown in the BAJ Driver App.

BAJ will continue improving payment and settlement features as the platform expands across New Zealand, giving drivers greater flexibility while keeping the booking experience straightforward for passengers.

Drivers should keep the latest version of the BAJ Driver App installed and follow official BAJ updates for new payment features and platform changes.

Learn more about driving with BAJ at baj.co.nz.