Collier Area Transit launches mobile ticketing application

Collier Area Transit (CAT), the public transportation agency in Collier County, Florida, has announced the launch of a new mobile ticketing application for riders. The mobile ticketing app, called rideCAT, was designed to offer an upgrade to current ticketing options by enabling riders to purchase and display tickets directly on their smartphones anywhere and at any time, without the need for physical contact.

rideCAT is available for download from Google Play and the App Store. Passengers can also buy tickets online using the new web portal and either push them to a mobile device or print them at home.

Riders using Collier Area Transit’s mobile ticketing app, powered by Masabi’s Justride fare payments platform, can pay for tickets using a credit or debit card, or via Apple Pay. Single, day, 15-day and 30-days passes are available, as well as fares with entitlements.

Once purchased, passengers activate their tickets on their phones prior to boarding and scan the barcode on the new onboard validation units which have been installed across Collier Area Transit’s bus services.

“This cutting-edge technology will greatly improve our riders’ travel experience by providing seamless access to public transit and ticket purchasing anytime, anywhere,” said Michelle Arnold, Director of Public Transit and Neighborhood Enhancement.

As part of the project, 26 new validation devices have been installed across the bus network. Passengers can scan their dynamic and encrypted mobile passes on the devices when boarding the bus, with an audible beep and a coloured screen identifying the ticket as valid for use. These validation units aim to help speed up boarding times making riding services faster and safer by enabling contactless fare payment and validation.