Courtesy: City of Edmonton
Four years after the City of Edmonton first revealed it was introducing a digital fare payment system, transit riders will now be able to use their own debit and credit cards.
The new fare options are available in all regions using Arc, providing a more convenient and flexible way to pay for transit.
Riders can now pay by tapping any of the following payment methods directly on an Arc validator:
- Mastercard (credit and debit)
- Visa (credit and debit)
- Interac Debit
- American Express
- Google Wallet
- Apple Pay
- Samsung Wallet
Arc cards and tickets, as well as cash fares on buses, will continue to be accepted as valid fare payment.
Riders are not required to set up an account to use the new payment options. They can now access transit by tapping on and off, without needing to load an Arc card or carry exact change.
“In close collaboration with our regional partners, we are pleased to offer tap to pay to our riders, making it even more convenient to choose transit,” said Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, Branch Manager of Edmonton Transit Service.
“Riders now have another option to pay their fare to connect them to their friends, family, work or other activities across the Edmonton region. I know a lot of riders have been waiting for this option, and we are excited to offer it.”
Transit agencies in Edmonton, Beaumont, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, St. Albert and Strathcona County currently use Arc.
When riders use the same payment method every time, they will benefit from daily and monthly standard adult fare caps.
Physical and digital versions of the same card are considered to be two different cards, and will have separate fare caps—so riders should pick one fare payment method and use it consistently a press release said.
“When municipalities in the Edmonton region work together, everyone benefits,” said Wade Coombs, Director of Strathcona County Transit. “When residents can move around the region quickly and conveniently, it leads to less traffic congestion, lower emissions and more opportunities to thrive.”
Period pass holders, such as U-Pass or school board pass users, must continue to use an Arc card for the duration of their school term.
“Since Arc was launched in 2022, we’ve taken an iterative approach to help ease the transition,” said Hotton-MacDonald. “We thank our riders for being with us at every step of this journey and for helping us to deliver on a modern fare payment system.”
Arc cards will remain available for purchase through Arc fare vending machines at transit centres and LRT stations, and at participating retailers.
For a list of participating Arc retailers or to purchase your card online, visit myArc.ca or call 1-888-302-0001.
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