The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM), the Montreal region’s public transit governing authority, has partnered with Transit to launch a new single-ride bus fare valid on buses operated by the region’s four agencies: exo, Réseau de transport de Longueuil, Société de transport de Montréal and Société de transport de Laval.
The fare includes free transfers during a 120-minute period and marks the first time Montreal transit riders can pay for trips using a mobile phone. It also allows Montrealers to purchase bus fares and BIXI bikeshare passes using a single Transit Account.
“During the gradual resumption of activities across the Montreal metropolitan area, the region’s bus networks have seen the most significant increase in demand and ridership. While travel habits remain disrupted, this initiative supplements the health measures put in place by the region’s transit operators. It gives users more flexibility to purchase single bus fares that can be contactlessly validated,” said Benoît Gendron, director general of the ARTM. “This project will also help advance the development of a one-stop mobility hub for the user.”
This mobile ticketing option in Transit is delivered with Masabi and was created by ARTM in response to the coronavirus crisis. Transit notes this new solution, increasingly popular among North American transit agencies seeking to reassure riders and sustain revenue during the pandemic, gives passengers a payment method that uses visual validation to reduce contact with bus drivers.
“Social distancing has made mobile ticketing a must-have for transit agencies, and we are delighted to be working with ARTM and our partner, Transit, to enable a best-of-breed mobile ticketing and practical Mobility-as-a-Service solution for travelers in Montreal, and helping passengers and agency staff alike to stay safe,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO of Masabi.
The new bus fare is also integrated into Transit Accounts, introducing Mobility-as-a-Service to Montreal so riders can purchase a bus-to-bikeshare trip in a single, universal app. Users can not only plan a multimodal trip using the app’s Transit+ feature, they can now also purchase a bus fare from the ARTM, then seamlessly buy a connecting BIXI bikeshare ride with just an extra tap.
“BIXI’s mission is to transform the urban experience with a bikeshare service that contributes to accessible and connected mobility. We’ve been partners with Transit for many years and are delighted to be a part of its success, all with the goal of making travel easier and promoting multimodal journeys,” said Christian Vermette, general manager of BIXI Montréal.
“Montreal isn’t just Transit’s hometown. It’s also a city that’s finding new solutions to fare payment during the pandemic, while at the same time bringing together public transit ticketing and bikeshare into a simple, unified app experience for riders,” said Sam Vermette, CEO of Transit. “We’re making it easy to plan and pay for multimodal trips, helping people get from A to B without their own car. Working with transit authorities like the ARTM and new mobility services like BIXI is how we achieve that mission.”
