A full transition to app/card based public transit payment provider Umo across the province is expected later this year. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

payment transition

Transition to electronic fare system expected late this year for RDN public transit customers

May 27, 2024 | 4:41 PM

NANAIMO — Using old-fashioned cash will remain, however physical tickets and day passes are poised to be relics of the past while boarding buses across the province.

As directed by BC Transit, effective Dec. 1 the sale of traditional fare products for use on Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) buses will no longer be available.

“After the effective date, BC Transit will continue to accept any unused fare products in circulation. Additionally, cash will remain an option for riders who prefer to use it,” a statement from BC Transit read.

Traditional fare products are being phased out province-wide.

BC Transit accepted an RDN’s transit committee request made last week to bump back the shift away from traditional fare products from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1.

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The new electronic payment system Umo was unveiled last November for the RDN transit system, featuring the Umo Mobility app and a reloadable card (available at several regional vendor locations).

During a Thursday, May 23 transit committee meeting, an update was provided on the fare payment transition on the mid-Island, which heard nearly half of RDN transit riders have adopted Umo, with over three-quarters of those riders using the app system.

BC Transit is engaging with transit users across the province during its transition away from traditional fare products. (BC Transit)

In addition to available payment options in Umo’s app and card forms, BC Transit’s manager of revenue programs Kyle Bowman said debit and credit card tap payments are expected to be available next year.

“We’re still shaping those plans out with Umo, there are a number of steps along the way, but looking towards this time next year in which that open loop would be available and that would be debit and credit card tapping directly on the bus,” Bowman said.

More information on Umo can be found here.

BC Transit, a Crown corporation, serves 130 communities and provided more than 26 million trips last year.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes