Edmonton is one step closer to implementing a “tap-on tap-off” electronic payment system on city buses.
On Tuesday, Edmonton Transit Service shared photos of the new technology online and said those electronic fare validators had been installed on five ETS buses.
The five buses had scanners installed last week.
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“We are confirming design and installation requirements for the different types of buses in our fleet before putting the fare validators on our nearly 1,000 buses,” ETS explained in the Facebook post.
The scanners will be turned on when installation across the entire ETS fleet is done and pilot testing starts in 2020.
More information will be released closer to the launch.
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ETS Smart Fare will allow riders to pay for transit with a variety of methods, including credit cards, debit cards and smart devices.
Transit customers will be able to set up an account and buy day passes, multi-ride packages, monthly passes and other transit fare products.
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Passengers will still be able to buy tickets using cash, if desired.
The Regional Smart Fare/Smart Bus project will see an electronic fare payment system implemented for Edmonton, St. Albert and Strathcona County transit systems.
The Smart Fare system would also allow for alternate and flexible fare options, like fare capping, pay-as-you-go, distance-based fares and best fares.
The possible fare options will have to be reviewed by Edmonton city council and undergo customer market research before they’re finalized.