Bytemark, InComm establish partnership enabling cash payments for mobile transit apps

Bytemark and InComm® have partnered to allow passengers to add value to their accounts for transit and parking by using cash at brick-and-mortar retail locations across the U.S.

The partnership will help make transit more accessible to a larger group of passengers. Cash-preferred users can participate by paying for fares at popular retailers where they already shop. The move also allows agencies to strengthen their Title VI inclusivity programs.

The transit cash load option, powered by VanillaDirect™, will provide passengers access to a network of participating retailers with nearly 60,000 locations nationwide. This network, encompassing convenience and value stores as well as pharmacies, includes some of the nation's largest retailers, many of which will offer transit payment options to customers for the first time.

“I am very excited about partnering with InComm®. With their local retail footprint, combined with our Bytemark Bridge offering, we are shortening the access points to transit,” said Bytemark CEO Eric Reese. “As we roll out additional functionality of our Plan, Book & Pay™ solution, our ability to support agencies on a more local level affords their riders additional ways to access these cost-saving features, like fare capping, stored value and multi-day passes.”

The service will be available as part of Bytemark Transact and can be used by Bytemark Passage and Bytemark Connect customers and as a standalone payments feature.

Customers can buy transit passes or load value to their in-app wallets. The stored value wallets can then be used as a payment method for future in-app purchases. Bytemark says agencies can reduce their transaction costs, and riders who want to use cash enjoy a convenient way to do it. Bytemark says it expects agencies to be able to take advantage of the feature within the next few months.

“InComm’s experience and existing retail network make them the perfect partner, and we couldn’t be more excited to add this payment method for our users,” Reese said.

Bytemark says stored value load for future purchases lowers the number of in-person interactions, a concern for many consumers in the wake of COVID-19. This feature may become even more important as more and more agencies consider going cash-free.

Allowing cash loads of stored value wallets or for ticket purchases can achieve the same benefits without removing a familiar payment method option.

“Bytemark has always strived to reduce onboard payments for our users as a matter of convenience and safety,” Reese said

"Bytemark represents an exciting product that offers incremental revenue to retailers by expanding transit ticket distribution," said Michael Herold, vice president of business development, tolling and transit at InComm. "The partnership with Bytemark’s transit platform enables retailers to offer ticketing solutions without the need for physical products or additional hardware, which falls in line with our strategy to make it easier for retailers to sell tickets. The real winners are those cash-preferred consumers who want to use the latest technology to pay for transit, parking, and other public transportation services; everyone wins."