Highly anticipated mobile ticketing app will make buying and using TriMet tickets easier and more convenient than ever TriMet and GlobeSherpa launched the beta test of the highly anticipated TriMet Tickets mobile ticketing app at 4 a.m. May 16.
Some 150 riders were chosen from more than 1,500 applicants to test the mobile application powered by GlobeSherpa. They become among the first riders of a multimodal transit system in the U.S. to use a mobile ticketing app.
The TriMet Tickets app will allow beta testers to conveniently buy fares anytime and anywhere from their smartphones to ride buses, MAX trains, WES Commuter Rail and the Portland Streetcar. Once the testing phase is completed in about a month, feedback will be incorporated and modifications made. We then expect to launch the free app to all our riders later this summer. This is a step toward implementing a state-of-the-art electronic fare system by 2017/2018.
TriMet Tickets beta test
The riders chosen to take part in the beta test represent a cross section of TriMet customers based on demographics, type of mobile device and operating system, credit/debit card type, trip purpose, fare type, frequency of transit use and use of buses, trains or both. They will be providing feedback through surveys during the testing. Some will take part in focus groups. When the TriMet Tickets app becomes available to our hundreds of thousands of daily riders this summer, many will be able to enjoy the convenience and ease of mobile ticketing. Here’s the simple steps they will take to buy and use tickets:
1- Download the free app
2- Enter a debit or credit card in the secure system
3- Purchase tickets and passes instantly
4- Tap “use”
Mobile fares system reduces operating cost
The TriMet Tickets mobile ticketing app is expected save the agency money by reducing the operating cost associated with printed and cash fares. Paper and cash fares are still available via our traditional channels for those without access to this mobile application.
TriMet sells more than $102 million in fares annually:
- 28 percent are purchased at retail outlets
- 30 percent are group passes such as through employers
- 22 percent are paid at the farebox on buses
- 20 percent are purchased at TVMs
