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Portland, Maine – Greater Portland Metro and Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB Transit) launched a new fare payment method, Tap-to-Ride, to the public today.
Tap-to-Ride allows users to pay their fare by tapping a credit card, debit card, or wallet-enabled phone or watch – similar to many retail establishments. Users can pay for multiple passengers with the same card.
“Tap-to-Ride is our most significant innovation in fare payments since we launched electronic payments six years ago,” said Chad Heid, Metro’s Chief Transportation Officer. “We want riding transit in Greater Portland to be as effortless as buying a cup of coffee. You don’t need a transit pass or exact change. You just hop on board, tap your everyday card or smart device and go.”
Tap-to-Ride has the potential to increase transit ridership in southern Maine by adding a simple payment method that does not require the user to have an account or to carry exact change in cash. The new method may also bring other benefits to Metro and BSOOB, such as reduced time boarding passengers and reduced costs related to processing cash payments.
“Public transit is vital for our community, and getting on board should not be a source of stress,” said John Savage, Executive Director of BSOOB Transit. “By accepting everyday payment methods, we are breaking down barriers for ridership, making our transit systems more equitable, straightforward, and ready to serve everyone.”
Users paying with Tap-to-Ride will be charged the full fare for the route they are boarding. Users who ride often, or who qualify for reduced fare, are encouraged to continue using the DiriGo Pass system, which offers daily and monthly caps on transit fares, reduced fares for qualified individuals, and free transfers within 90 minutes.
More information on Tap to Ride is available at www.gpmetro.org/tap.
BSOOB Transit serves the communities of Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach while providing vital regional connectivity across southern Maine. In addition to local routing, the agency operates key intercity connections linking Saco to Scarborough, South Portland, and Portland, alongside premium commuter express service connecting Biddeford and Saco directly to downtown Portland.
Greater Portland Metro is southern Maine’s largest public transit provider, serving Bath, Brunswick, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Westbrook, and Yarmouth. Greater Portland Metro is planning to add a new bus route between Portland and Scarborough later this year. Metro’s mission is to provide public transportation that is frequent, fast, safe, and simple.
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