by Timothy Schafer
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nelson Daily
A change is on the way for how people riding the West Kootenay Transit System will be paying for the lift, with the fare structure also being altered in the process.
An electronic fare collection system — with an alignment of regional rates — is being introduced to the West Kootenay service by B.C. Transit, along with the Umo fare technology platform.
According to B.C. Transit, Umo will give people who ride transit several new ways to buy and use fares, as well as streamlining fare policies across the province.
With Umo, customers will be able to pay for their fare using a mobile app, with a reloadable smart card that can be managed through a customer website, or topped up at retail vendor locations.
“On the bus, new fare validators will be installed, and riders will present their mobile app or reloadable smart card for fare verification. In the near future, riders will also be able to tap their credit or debit card onboard to pay their fare when boarding,” said Nelson chief financial officer Chris Jury in his report to city council on June 6.
He said the mobile application comes with additional features like trip planning and real-time bus location updates.
The Umo system will align conventional, paratransit and Health Connections cash and Umo single ride fares to $2.25. Five paratransit routes — with cash-only fares ranging from $1.25 and $2 — see a rise in cost and three Health Connections routes — with cash-only fares of $3.50 or $4 — will drop in price.
Although city council passed the changes to the transit policy, Umo is scheduled for introduction late this year and the changes will be updated in next year’s annual operating agreement to reflect Umo pricing. The changes to the transfer policy and fares will be implemented when Umo launches.
There was some concern on council that the changes would negatively affect the transit experience for many riders.
“I understand that many people find this more convenient, but my understanding is that the demographic that rides buses … may not understand this technology and may be uncomfortable with it,” said Councillor Jesse Pineiro.
People can still pay cash and can transfer with cash and do not need the app at all, said Councillor Rik Logtenberg.
“If you have a card you will eventually be able to tap with a card, so there should be the convenience there for people that don’t have a phone and don’t carry cash,” he said. “The goal overall is just to increase convenience.
“And, especially with the app, one of the things it is more focusing on isn’t necessarily the people that are riding today in part, but to broaden the ridership, to make it, overall, a more attractive option for everybody to taking a car.”
The proposed changes were presented to the West Kootenay Transit committee who, along with B.C. Transit, recommended the proposed changes.
