Butler Transit Authority rolls out revamped collection fare system
The Butler Transit Authority took a significant step in the modernization of its fare collection system in a move that seeks to benefit all parties on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The authority officially rolled out Ride BTA, a contactless mobile ticketing application that will make it easier for Butler County commuters and local riders to pay for and track trips on their smartphones.
“We tested it for a certain period of time. Everything looked like it was ready to go,” John Paul, executive director of the authority, said of the timing of the launch after a meeting Tuesday. “Any of the modules that had failed were replaced and everything was functional. It was just time. We’re excited about it.”
Older electronic ticketing machines at terminals around the county were disconnected. Riders can still use cash or a card to pay in person at terminals, but will have to walk up to a clerk’s window to complete those transactions.
In addition to a more streamlined process, one of the features of the new ticketing system is the removal of a majority of cash transactions that bogged down employees. The application, which was established in partnership with software company Modeshift, will allow riders to personalize their profiles, automatically track trips and reload e-wallets and smart cards.
“People are always going to use cash. I don’t care what you do,” said Paul. “The more and more you can get regular riders to use the passes and the system, it’s just more cost-effective for them and it’s easier for us because it records the trips. Cash trips, the drivers have to manually record them.”
The shift should take pressure off drivers, who were previously responsible for counting up the fares paid for with cash.
“It seems to be catching on and working well,” said Lori Graham, a longtime bus driver for the authority. “I think it’ll be easier on everybody when everything is set and we’re all down to working with just one machine because we’re in the middle of a transition from the old machine to the new one. Once that all gets settled and that old machine is out of there, it’s going to be a lot easier for all of us.”
One trip costs $1.50, so riders have the option of saving money with a $3 day pass for unlimited rides or a monthly pass for $40.
Butler area resident Eli Anderson and his fiance have monthly passes and regularly take the bus to work and appointments. Now that the system is up and running, Anderson said he would strongly consider the new application in order to make daily trips easier.
“In the near future, I’m going to look into it, me and my fiance since we both take the bus to work,” he said. “For small communities trying to modernize like other, bigger communities have already done, yeah, it’s a step in the right direction.”
