Masabi has launched an app that allows riders to purchase tickets using their smartphones for buses operated by Beaver County Transit Authority (BCTA) in Pennsylvania.
The BCTA Mobile Ticket app allows riders to purchase passes for a single ride, a day, seven days and 31 days as well as reduced fares. Group travel is enabled through allowing users to purchase multiple tickets using the same device.
As part of the project, new validation devices have been installed across the entire BCTA bus fleet. Passengers scan their dynamic and encrypted mobile passes on the devices when boarding the bus, with an audible beep and a coloured screen identifying the ticket as valid for use.
Masabi says these validation units will help speed up boarding times making riding BCTA services faster and safer by enabling contactless fare payment and validation.
The units are powered by Masabi’s Justride Inspect software. Riders can also use a new web portal service to purchase tickets to use with the BCTA Mobile Ticket app.
BCTA's general manager Mary Jo Morandini says: “Riders board the bus and simply scan the barcode appearing on their phone on validation devices installed on the buses. And for those without a smartphone, a ticket can be printed from their computer and scanned on all fixed route buses”.
Masabi CEO Brian Zanghi says: “The change in people’s behaviours brought about by social distancing requirements has made mobile ticketing and the move towards more contactless journeys a must-have for transit agencies. We’re delighted to be working with Beaver County to launch a network-wide mobile ticketing option for their riders, helping passengers and agency staff to stay safe and fast-forwarding public transit to a contactless future.”
The BCTA Mobile Ticket app is available at the App Store and Google Play.