New payment options on Lethbridge transit will allow riders to tap their debit or credit card for single fares and buy passes online.
Mario Galeana, Lethbridge Transit asset manager says the new system makes paying for transit more convenient and he expects to see more riders because of it.
According to Galeana, implementing the changes costs $1.9 million and is paid for with money put away to replace and upgrade transit equipment. He said Lethbridge Transit has been working on the project for a little more than a year.
“I think it is going to increase the convenience for our riders, they no longer have to go to transit or city hall or a location, they can just do everything online. If they want person-to-person service, we will still be doing that,” he says. “We always knew that it was a little bit inconvenient and we’re looking to make it more convenient for the residents of Lethbridge.”
Transit users can still pay with their Breeze card until October, then they will have to start using the LT Fare app or card. The cards are available at the transit office, city hall and the Park and Ride or vendor locations. The city says the LT Fare card is free with the purchase of rides or a pass between July 10 and Oct. 1. Residents who want to transfer a balance from the Breeze card can at city locations.
The change will also apply to Access-A-Ride and balance transfer will be done only at the Lethbridge Transit Reception.
The Ride-On-Demand Service will no longer be free as of October 1. It was launched as a pilot project with the CityLINK transit system as a free service and will now use the same payment systems as other transit services.
Riders can still use cash to pay for bus fare, along with their phone or new transit card.