Masabi and NEORide announced that riders can now use cash to make purchases using the EZfare mobile ticketing app and the Transit app by depositing funds into their accounts at thousands of retail locations across Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and nationwide.
“Building upon the cash-to-mobile functionality we introduced at transit centers in July, this move makes purchasing digital tickets with cash as straightforward as buying groceries and extends the availability of contactless ticketing for services run by EZfare agencies,” said Katherine Conrad, director, NEORide. “Our first-of-a-kind regional mobile ticketing service is now widely available to those who may not have access to a credit or debit card and provides them with a contactless way to ride.”
This cash-to-mobile contactless mobile ticketing service has been made possible by a partnership between Masabi and InComm Payments, a global payments technology company.
This new service provides a safe way to pay for riders who have a phone but want or need to pay their fare using cash to access touch-free transit services. It will also help reduce the burden on the existing ticketing infrastructure and fare boxes by allowing riders to add cash to their mobile account and then store it for later use, reducing cash handling costs for agencies.
“It is vital to realize that not everyone has access to a credit or debit card, and that those who still prefer to use cash are not left behind by the advent of digital services. This means that cash digitization is a key requirement in enabling all riders on services such as EZfare to be able to access and enjoy the advantages of mobile ticketing,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO, Masabi.
Riders can visit any retail outlet signed up to InComm Payments’ Vanilla Direct cash-in payment platform to preload cash onto their EZfare or Transit account. Retailers can add credit by accepting a cash payment and then scanning a barcode in the user’s app. The rider can then use the cash deposited to buy, store and display tickets in their in-app wallet and enjoy a safe and convenient mobile ticketing experience.
“Fare collection needs to be intuitive and accessible for all riders, which is why loading cash to the Transit app at a local retail outlet is a natural next step for transit agencies,” said David Block-Schachter, chief business officer, Transit. “Cash digitization with Transit makes it possible for riders to plan, track and pay for their trip in the way that works best for them. EZfare’s launch with InComm Payments and Masabi is an important development as public transit embraces the next generation of fare collection.”
