BC Transit has introduced a contactless fare payment on fixed route buses. Its participating Umo transit systems, making transit more convenient and easier to use.
Starting today Tuesday May 19th, riders can tap-to-pay using a debit card, credit card or mobile wallet in all 30 transit systems across the province that offer Umo.
BC Transit said that the contactless payments remove payment barriers, making it easier for people to choose public transit.
Benefits of these new payment methods include:
- Convenient, secure and quick payment options.
- The ability to use the same trusted Interac, Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards that are used for everyday purchases.
- Cards linked to Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay mobile wallets are also accepted.
- Payment with a debit card, credit card or mobile wallet means riders don’t need to load or manage a balance on an account.
To ensure a smooth trip, riders are encouraged to:
- Pay with the same card all day to receive automatic fare capping benefits in participating transit systems.
- Tap a single card and not your full wallet to avoid being charged more than once.
- Plan for each rider in a group to tap their own card, as cards cannot be shared.
Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit said “Making transit easier and more accessible is a key to building connected communities throughout British Columbia. With the launch of tap-to-pay on BC Transit buses, people can now use the debit cards, credit cards and mobile wallets to pay their fare quickly and securely. – Farnworth
The total cost for this project is $24.8 million, jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and local government partners.
Erinn Pinkerton, President and Chief Executive Officer for BC Transit said “We’re making transit easier to use by introducing contactless payment, allowing you to pay your fare with a simple tap. It’s the same tap-to-pay experience many people already use every day, with your credit card, debit card or mobile wallet. This gives our riders more choice and flexibility, whether you’re commuting, taking an occasional trip, visiting B.C. or getting home safely after a night out.” – Pinkerton
For more information, contact BC Transit’s Umo Customer Service team toll-free at 877-380-8181.
You can also visit https://www.bctransit.com/contactless/ to learn more about contactless payments and which fare privileges are available in each Umo participating transit system.
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