Beginning Monday, January 6, 2025, Timmins Transit is introducing a new electronic fare collection system that will give riders the opportunity to pay for a ride with the tap of their smart phone or reloadable fare card. It’s called Timmins Transit “Pay YOUR Way,” and it provides riders with a host of payment options that are both cashless and contactless.
New electronic fare boxes are being installed across the Timmins Transit fleet of conventional and accessible buses and vans. Kiosks and retail Point of Sale (POS) systems are being installed at the main Transit Terminal on Spruce St. to dispense or reload fare cards. The electronic fare system network will improve Transit’s data collection on routes and ridership, improve efficiency with the potential for faster boarding, and give riders the option of modern electronic payment methods.
“Our electronic fare collection system gives riders the option to pay for their bus ride using a reloadable card or their smart phone,” says Ken Krcel, Director of Public Works and Environmental Services. “ Riders can continue to pay with exact change. This is a choice, and because we’ve been able to leverage federal and provincial funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and provincial gas tax funding, there is no impact to the residential property tax bill to bring these projects to fruition. There is also no planned increase to the 2025 bus fare rates. This is about convenience and modern service.”
On January 6, 2025, riders can choose to activate and register a Pay YOUR Way reloadable card (disposable card options also available) with a one-time activation fee of $5 (discounted for seniors and students). Registering the card online gives riders the ability to load the card with funds for single rides, purchase a monthly pass, or 10-rides. Riders can also choose to download the free Pay YOUR Way fare app, available for iOS and android in January. From the app, riders can purchase a single ride, 10-rides, or a monthly pass. With one click, the app will generate a QR code per ride that can be tapped or scanned on the fare box when boarding the bus.
“Families or workplaces can register more than one reloadable card under a single account, making it simple to ensure that students and employees have convenient access to our public transportation network,” adds Krcel. “No more worrying about exact change or having to carry cash. With one Pay YOUR Way card or app, it’s easy to choose Timmins Transit.”
Monthly pass cards and 10-strip tickets sold before January 6, 2025 will continue to be honoured. For more information on the Pay YOUR Way electronic fare collection system, visit: Timmins.ca/transit.