B.C. Transit to Launch Apple Pay and Google Pay Support

B.C. Transit on Wednesday announced it is adding support for Apple Pay and several other contactless payment options and pre-paid fare products to over 900 buses across more than 30 transit systems in British Columbia.

The provincial Crown corporation, which is responsible for coordinating public transit services in B.C., has partnered with Cubic Transportation Systems to implement the Umo platform in all areas outside of Metro Vancouver.

“The Umo platform ensures all riders receive equitable fares, regardless of how often they utilize public transit or the payment method they choose. We are thrilled to partner with BC Transit to make public transit more accessible for British Columbians,” said Cubic Transportation Systems, in a statement.

B.C. Transit serves 1.8 million British Columbians in over 130 communities, from small towns to large urban centers.

The Umo platform will serve as a single, electronic fare collection solution for B.C. Transit, making public transit in the province a safer, more convenient option. The new system will enable contactless payments via services like Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as contactless credit and debit cards.

“We are excited to be sharing news of the transformational electronic fare collection system project that will make selecting transit as your mode of choice more convenient and accessible,” said B.C. Transit President and Chief Executive Officer Erinn Pinkerton, in a statement.

“The innovative payment methods that the system will enable are items that British Columbians carry on them every day. Whether someone is a daily rider, occasional rider, or haven’t taken their first trip yet, Umo will make their trip easier.”

With Umo’s mobile app and reloadable smart card, B.C. Transit also has plans for pre-paid stored value and pass products that riders can easily purchase with a mobile device, new web portal, or retailer, and board simply by scanning their mobile device or tapping their card.

“We are excited to expand our partnership to BC Transit and deliver an electronic fare collection system that will ensure riders across the province have a seamless experience,” said Jeff Lowinger, President of Cubic Transportation Systems.

The new payment solution will be deployed to transit systems and interregional routines in two phases — mobile app and reloadable smart card payments will be enabled throughout B.C. in the first phase, with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit/debit card support coming in the second phase.

A pilot program for the new payment system will be rolled out to the Victoria Regional Transit System by fall 2022.