BC Transit delays tap payments on buses until 2023
BC Transit has pushed back the launch of its electronic tap fare system to 2023.
The system, called Umo (pronounced "you-mo") was originally supposed to launch in Victoria in fall 2022, before rolling out across the province.
In an update on Sept. 23 on the BC Transit website, the company said the new system would instead launch in spring 2023.
Umo will roll out in two phases. The first phase will let riders pay with a mobile app and reloadable smart card. The second phase will allow riders to pay with credit cards, debit cards and mobile wallets.
BC Transit notes that cash will still be accepted for all fares.
Umo will launch in 30 transit systems and five interregional routes across the province. It will first launch in Victoria, before rolling out across B.C. over a span of several months.
BC Transit says the new system will improve cleanliness by reducing touchpoints, improve convenience for riders, and attract more riders through new digital promotions.
The electronic fare system cost $23.2-million to implement, with the federal government funding 50 per cent of the cost, the provincial government covering 40 per cent, and local governments contributing 10 per cent.
Umo will launch in B.C. communities in the following order in 2023:
- Victoria Regional Transit System
- Cowichan Valley Regional
- Regional District of Nanaimo
- Comox Valley Regional
- Campbell River
- Port Alberni Regional
- Powell River
- Sunshine Coast
- Squamish
- Whistler
- Pemberton
- Central Frazer Valley, Chilliwack
- Agassiz-Harrison
- Hope Regional, Kamloops
- Vernon Regional
- Kelowna Regional
- South Okanagan
- West Kootenay
- Cranbrook
- Prince George
- Quesnel
- Fort St. John
- Dawson Creek
- Kitimat
- Terrace Regional
- Skeena Regional
- Prince Rupert
- Port Edward
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.