A new method of fare collection has been announced by Lethbridge Transit, with the launch of the new LT Fare mobile app, July 10, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Lethbridge Transit introduces new fare collection system

Jul 10, 2023 | 4:12 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new method of fare collection is coming to Lethbridge Transit.

Lethbridge Transit has launched its new LT Fare mobile app and web portal, which allows transit riders to pay for their bus trip by adding funds to their account on the app. Officials note the app will help alleviate the need for residents to go to a physical location to top up funds on their transit card. Instead, they will be able to do that from the comfort of their home, office, or even while on the go.

Tap-to-pay technology for single-use fare on buses has also been added to transit services. Customers will be able to tap their LT Fare, debit, or credit card to pay for their trip. The tap function will also work with mobile devices.

Mario Galeana, Transit Asset Manager with the City of Lethbridge, said the implementation of the new system, which aims to streamline access, has been in the works for about a year.

He remarked, “I think its going to increase the convenience for our riders. They’ll no longer have to go to [the Lethbridge Transit office] or City Hall, or a location, they can just do everything online.”

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BREEZE CARDS

Transit customers can still use their existing Breeze card to pay for their bus fares, but will need to upgrade to the LT Fare card or app by October 1, 2023.

The LT Fare card is available to be picked up at Lethbridge City Hall, the Lethbridge Transit office, the Park ‘n’ Ride Transit Terminal, and at vendor locations for free. A list of locations is available at the City of Lethbridge website. Officials noted that if an individual still has a balance (rides and/or pass) on their Breeze card after October 1, 2023, they can visit Lethbridge City Hall, the Lethbridge Transit office, or the Park ‘n’ Ride Transit Terminal to transfer that balance.

Access-a-Ride LT Fare card activation and replacement can only be done at the Lethbridge Transit office.

The total cost of the project was $1.9 million, with the fare collection portion taking up $1.45 million of that cost. The other $450,000 was spent towards installing automatic passenger counters (APCs) to count the number of passengers getting on and off transit buses.

Lethbridge Transit will continue to support the use of cash to pay for fares at the front of the buses.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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