Challenges are often the catalyst for innovation, and the pandemic was no different. Where contactless payments were once deployed for convenience and reduced operational costs, agencies have sped up mobile fare payment solutions to ensure their riders and employees are kept safe amidst the latest COVID variant. Where information on how crowded your next bus would be was once a nice-to-have, it’s now a matter of health and safety.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our latest partnership with Suffolk County Transit. Now, citizens and tourists in the largest Long Island county can pay from the same interface they use to plan their public transportation journeys – all in the Moovit app. With mobile fare payments powered by Masabi’s JustRide SDK, riders and employees can avoid handling cash or even cards, instead of having their mobile fare passes visually inspected or scanned at validation units.
This new ‘Plan, Pay, Ride’ experience is bolstered with real-time info on how crowded the next bus or station will be, giving Suffolk County riders all the information they need to confidently navigate their new normals public transportation.
“We are actively working to embrace cutting-edge transportation tools that better connect our residents and create a 21st Century transportation network,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “Riders will now be able to purchase their tickets and view real-time bus information all from the ease of their smartphone. This integration of Suffolk Transit with Moovit will continue to better inform our customers about transit choices throughout the County, while mobile ticketing will allow for a quicker and easier rider experience.”
Evolving to Meet Rider Needs with Contactless Payments
In our COVID-19 Effect Survey, public transportation riders worldwide agreed that contactless payment methods and real-time crowdedness information were two of the important rider needs to feel confident riding public transportation again. Beyond the simplicity, and flexibility offered with contactless payments and crowdedness information, the more urgent need in a post-COVID world is offering riders and employees a sense of trust and safety.
Today, public transportation riders are seeking more personalized, flexible, easy experiences that better fit their needs. By integrating convenient solutions into the transit network, cities and agencies will build more resilient, sustainable systems that better serve their customers and gain their loyalty.
Ready to move your agency and riders to the Plan, Pay, Ride experience? Learn more about Moovit’s Fare Payments integrations or get in touch.