New payment options coming for OC Transpo
Posted Jun 2, 2023 08:52:01 AM.
More payment options are being implemented on OC Transpo buses.
New red smart card fare devices have already made their debut on select buses and are expected to be up and running this year.
The new devices will allow people to tap a credit card or use mobile phone taps with Google Pay or Apple Pay.
The option is expected to be a relief for those days when you forget to load your Presto card or don’t have exact change.
However, while a member of Ottawa Transit Riders say the flexibility is great, the new payment options don’t address one of the main concerns riders have.
“We need to make sure that this is done in an equitable way,” Ottawa Transit Riders board member Laura Shantz tells CityNews. “We need to recognize that we can have all the smart payment options you want, but if you don’t have a smart phone, a credit card, or if you’re living on a low income, this will be a bite out of your budget.”
Shantz adds that without addressing the cost of fares, these new options don’t change anything for people who can’t afford to take the bus in the first place.
According to the OC Transpo website, the new payment options will be available sometime this year.
You can click here for information.
