BC Transit is moving forward with the next step in its Electronic Fare Collection System Project, piloting Umo in the Victoria Regional Transit System. In the coming weeks, riders will see fare validators installed aboard the bus as the organization begins to test the Umo platform. The pilot project is intended to test the end-to-end components of the Umo platform prior to full implementation in the Victoria Regional Transit System later this spring.
The pilot project will be delivered in two phases, starting first with BC Transit employees before expanding to external transit stakeholders. The pilot project is expected to run for several weeks with continual testing and adjustments being made throughout in order to ready BC Transit to launch Umo transit system-wide once complete.
More about Umo
Umo will replace BC Transit’s end-of-life technology and equipment and introduce contactless payment methods that will improve the transit experience. New payment methods will include mobile app, reloadable card, debit card, credit card and mobile wallet, providing riders with the ability to pick the best payment method for their lifestyle and travel habits. These new payment methods will increase access to transit by removing barriers such as requiring riders to continually pre-purchase tickets and passes or carry exact change. The new payment methods will be implemented in two phases, initially enabling the Umo mobile app and reloadable Umo card payments before payment by credit card, debit card, and mobile wallets will be enabled.
At launch, Umo will introduce changes to some of the fares that riders use with the introduction of the 30-Day Pass and cash balance. These new offerings will provide riders with further ability to select the best option for their needs. The 30-Day Pass will eventually replace the existing monthly pass and provides the same convenience of having an unlimited long-term fare product but introduces the added flexibility of not having to wait until the start of a calendar month to utilize transit services. Cash balance is stored dollar amounts loaded to a rider’s account to be drawn from as they take trips. Riders will be able to easily purchase both the 30-Day Pass and cash balance with their mobile device, through a new web portal or at a retailer and board the bus by simply scanning their Umo app or tapping their reloadable Umo card.
The popular DayPASS fare product will benefit from an upgrade when Umo is launched by increasing the payment methods that can be used to receive it. Riders who select the Umo app or reloadable Umo card will have their fare capped and automatically converted to a DayPASS after their second tap or scan. This means regardless of a rider’s chosen Umo product, in transit systems that offer a DayPASS, a rider will never pay more than two times the value of a cash fare for unlimited daily travel. Cash will continue to be accepted for single ride and DayPASS fares.
