Butler County RTA introduces innovative account-based ticketing system

NEORide, representing 29 transit agencies across seven states, along with Transit, the trip planning app partnered with over 100 transit agencies, have joined forces to bring innovative account-based ticketing (ABT) to Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) in Ohio. This collaboration marks a significant leap forward in transit accessibility and convenience.

BCRTA, serving as the primary mass transportation provider in Butler County, has integrated ABT into its Cincylink and BGo services, allowing riders to seamlessly scan the EZfare app or use smart cards upon boarding. This implementation revolutionises travel across the region by eliminating the need for pre-purchased tickets or navigating multiple systems. Instead, passengers can simply tap their phones or cards for instant access.

The introduction of monthly fare capping ensures that CincyLink riders benefit from optimal fares, with a cap set at $120 per month equivalent to the price of a monthly pass. This commitment underscores BCRTA’s commitment to enhancing public transit’s accessibility and role in fostering economic and social development. Additionally, the integration of ABT within the Transit app further empowers riders, enabling them to manage their EZfare accounts more easily. 

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The launch of ABT has been made possible by Masabi’s Fare Payments-as-a-Service (FPaaS) approach, leveraging the Justride platform’s cloud-native architecture to deliver cutting-edge fare payment innovations efficiently and economically. This advancement not only enhances the passenger experience with ongoing technological enhancements but also supports agencies in keeping pace with rapid changes in technology while reducing overall fare collection costs.

“Convenience should be at the core of public transit, and the launch of ABT will make riding BCRTA services more convenient than ever, with boarding a bus now as easy as pressing a button on your phone,” said Shawn Cowan, Director of Customer Care and Public Engagement at BCRTA. “We’re delighted to be rolling out this technology to our riders, and are excited to hear what they think.” 

“We want to make riding public transit as simple, stress-free, and financially accessible as possible,” said David Block-Schachter, Chief Business Officer at Transit. “BCRTA passengers already rely on Transit to find their next trip and track their ride in real time. Adding the ability to simply scan a QR code to buy fares – with built-in fare capping to boot – makes choosing the bus a no-brainer for even more riders in Butler County than before.”