Transit customers in Powell River can now use a new electronic system that will improve fare security, reduce fare disputes and collect accurate ridership data. Powell River is one of several communities across BC that has switched to a new electronic system.
The new machines will record data from each fare card, such as product type, boarding time and bus route, valuable data that can be used to help determine future changes or improvements to the local transit system.
Prior to the installation of the electronic fareboxes, customers simply showed their valid bus pass to the bus driver as proof of payment when boarding a bus. Now, passholders will be asked to swipe their encoded pass at the farebox when boarding a bus for validation. The method of payment remains the same for customers paying by ticket or cash. Encoded bus passes are now on sale.
“The City of Powell River is enthused that the information collected from the new farebox system will assist us in determining improvements to the current schedule as well as enabling our drivers to collect fares more efficiently,” said Mayor Stewart Alsgard.
This long-range capital project, budgeted at $6.48 million, will outfit approximately 700 BC Transit vehicles with similar technology. Several other communities will switch to electronic fareboxes later in 2011.
“BC Transit and our local government partners are committed to investing in ways that help build safer, more effective, and more efficient transit systems,” said Manuel Achadinha, president and CEO of BC Transit.
The electronic fareboxes were purchased from Quebec-based Garival Incorporated, Canadian sales representatives for GFI Genfare, a leading maker of bus fare collection systems in North America.
For more information about any BC Transit system, readers can visit Transit's website.
