San Antonio bus passengers will soon be able to pay for fares with new tap and go pay options at boarding.
By mid-October, VIA Metropolitan Transit said it will start adding a new pay system onto its buses that will accept credit cards, mobile wallets, cash and fare cards.
It’ll take four to six weeks for all buses to get the new pay system, then passengers can start using cards or mobile wallets to catch a ride.
Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards will be accepted, including tap to pay. American Express will not be accepted.
Right now, buses only take cash and VIA goCards at boarding, otherwise passengers must buy bus tickets ahead of time on the VIA goMobile+ app.
The new system promises the same fares, no added fees and faster boardings to reduce delays.
The new pay system being added to buses are fare boxes, which can take loose change and paper currency and print receipts, and transfer or day passes. The boxes will also scan passes, or take tap and go using Apple or Google Pay, and the goCard lite.
Magnetic stripe e-fare cards will also be replaced with pre-loaded goCard lite smartcards that allow for tap to pay.
VIA said passengers can start buying goCard lite smartcards at most H-E-B stores. Load options include a one-day pass, seven-day pass or 31-day pass, starting from the first day the card is used.
If you still have money on an e-fare card, you can exchange it for a new goCard lite at any Customer Service ticket window in late October.
If you still have an e-fare card or have a goCard lite before a bus has the new pay system, it’s still valid, just show it to the driver, says VIA officials.
