Fare collection updates from LYNX and TARTA

The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) has introduced a new mobile app while the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) has implemented fare capping on its system. 

LYNX 

LYNX released a new and enhanced LYNX® Paw Pass mobile app by Genfare and a new farebox on Nov. 18. 

The agency notes anyone who installed the previous version of the LYNX PawPass app by Transportation Technology Partners will need to remove it and download the new version from the App Store or Google Play. Customers will be able to keep their login name but will be required to reset their password.  

Users will not be able to purchase tickets in the current app after Nov. 30. Customers who have passes or stored value in the current app will be able to use those forms of payment until Jan. 25, 2025. 

In the new LYNX® Paw Pass app by Genfare, customers will see an updated look, have the ability to plan their trip and view/track real-time bus arrivals. To pay their fare, customers will scan the QR code on the app at the farebox scanner. Operators will no longer have to look at mobile tickets for validation. If customers pay a reduced fare, they will still have to show a LYNX issued ID.  

According to LYNX, customers will now be able to purchase a single-ride fare using a credit or debit card through the tap to pay feature directly on the farebox. Wearables such as smartwatches and smart devices will allow customers to utilize the tap to pay feature as well. 

TARTA 

TARTA has introduced the TARTA Card while marking the first time fare capping is available to TARTA fixed route riders. According to the agency, as long as a customer is paying with the TARTA Card, they will never pay more than $3 per day, $15 per week or $45 per 31-day period. 

“We could not be more excited to offer our regular fixed route customers a new way to pay and save on the rides they take to essential destinations every day,” said TARTA CEO Laura Koprowski. “This product has the potential to save our regular customers up to $39 a month. The cost of getting back and forth should never stand in the way of any northwest Ohioan looking to get to a medical appointment or exploring a new job opportunity.” 

While the TARTA Card can be used only for fixed route rides now, TARTA notes it will be available on TARTA Move paratransit and TARTA Flex on-demand trips in early 2025. 

The agency says transit users looking to take advantage of this benefit can access it in one of three ways: 

1. Purchasing a reloadable TARTA Card at TARTA’s Transit Hub that can connect to their EZFare account. 
2. Downloading the EZFare app or Transit App. 
3. Having cash applied to their EZFare account at any Vanilla Direct location.