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Arc Smart Fare System

I wonder if an interesting model, similar to how Google has found much of its success, would be to target young people with hopes to form habits and give exposure that can lead to sustained use into the future? Lots of companies use Google suite now because Google deeply subsidized it for schools, so now all students from grades 3 to uni have grown up using it, have storage and Gmail and calendars linked to it, so when entering the workforce they want it (vs converting to Microsoft teams or others systems).

If we made transit free from 18-30...? Parents can still pay the cheap buses for kids, especially since so many choose to live in places hard to service. But if young adults had free transit, they might not only choose to rent and buy in places transit serves well, but they'll form habits that could continue past the free date. Like a free trial model haha. And the cost of adding a car to your budget is so expensive at 28 if you never owned. But when most people gets cars at 16/17, then start making better salaries after uni, they learn to always make room for 10-25% of their budget to be transportation.

I wonder if a similar model for biking could be used? Get a bike share system, but make it free. Bikes aren't expensive. Just have charges based on failure to return to docs and such
 
Some interesting info from Fort Sask Transit.

"We are just awaiting the installation of the vending machine which will be located at the Dow Centennial Centre and Point-of-sale terminals located at the DCC and City Hall. They are expected to arrive around July-August this year but I cannot confirm if Smart Fare will be operational in Fort Sask by the Fall. There were project delays as a result of the pandemic and so some municipalities will be operating with Smart Fare by then but the added members (Fort Sask, Leduc, Spruce Grove) will be functional later on. More info to come!"
 
IanO said:
I am damn near convinced that we should have free city-wide transit as a public service/amenity.

At the very least in core areas with similar boundaries to that of scooters ie. 76ave-111ave from 75st to 149.
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Interesting ideas. I recall years ago we had free LRT in a downtown zone during certain mid day hours.

It doesn't necessarily have to be all or nothing, at least initially, but we can set the parameters and see how it works and then take it from there.
 
I had a good email exchange with Anthony Dionigi, the head of Fort Sask Transit. He said that FST will probably not be ready in time for the start of the pilot. Equipment installation is progressing well and their vending machine and point of sale systems* should arrive in July or August, but the process was delayed a pretty significant amount by the Canada-US border closure, which prevented technicians from coming into Canada for a while. Thankfully though, they don't need to wait until the pilot is officially over to join the system. It's not officially known whether they'll miss the start of the pilot, but Anthony is hoping for FST to adopt smart fare by the end of 2021, or in early 2022.

*The vending machine, which will be located at the Dow Centennial Centre (DCC; It is near the Park and Ride) can be operated directly by riders. The two point-of-sale systems, which will be located at the front desks of the DCC and city hall, are operated by city staff.
 
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Edmcowboy11 said:
I do hope that includes the Valley line too. It would be pretty silly if they didn't.
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I'd imagine so. I think they mentioned existing LRT stations only because that's where they've been observed by riders, but once the stations near completion I can't see why they wouldn't get readers.
 
A new fare vending machine; shared with permission. I wonder if the vending machines will accept card payment on day one, or if that won't be until after the pilot ends, when card tapping becomes acceptable. I hope they're two separate things, because it'd be nice if this entire process could be cash-free for folks who don't want to fill their transit cards online.
Transit SmartFare.jpg
 
Arc Card unveiled; Smart Fare machines turned on for pilot testing​
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ARC card
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June 8, 2021


Today, Edmonton Transit Service and regional transit partners mark an exciting step towards implementation of the smart fare electronic fare payment system, with the unveiling of Arc, the brand new “brand” look and feel for the upcoming smart way to pay for and ride transit.

“We’re excited to introduce the Arc brand and turn on the Arc card validators on our transit system. These are important program milestones as we continue to modernize transit service throughout the greater Edmonton region,” said Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, Branch Manager of Edmonton Transit Service. “Arc symbolizes forging a path between two points, much like how transit connects us to vital services, each other and our region.”

Once available, Arc cards can be used as electronic fare payment on participating transit agencies including Beaumont, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, St. Albert, Spruce Grove and Strathcona County. Customers also have the option to continue to pay with cash, paper passes and paper tickets.

Arc will be thoughtfully pilot tested and rolled out in phases to ensure a seamless onboarding experience for future customers. This summer, the first pilot testers from across the region will include a selection of Adult regular fare users, U-Pass users and transit staff.

The phased introduction of Arc this fall will be available for Adult regular fare users and post-secondary students who use U-Pass. Phase 2 will launch in 2022 and will be an option for a wider range of customer groups, including those who use the Ride Transit Program and seniors passes.

Customers will get access to Arc’s unique product features. This includes having payments count towards a daily or monthly fare cap (a maximum amount that can be paid over the period), and adding only as much money as they want to their Arc account at one time. Another benefit is the money is stored in an Arc account, not on the card itself, which brings peace of mind if the registered card is lost or stolen. Once money is added, the card can be used immediately for a trip on transit.

To support the rollout, tap on/tap off Arc card readers have been already installed on most participating transit agency buses and smart fare vending machines are being installed in Edmonton LRT stations and key regional transit locations. These machines will accept cash, debit or credit card payment and will remain off until the pilot testing begins this summer.

Customers can find timely updates and information at edmonton.ca/SmartFare or participating regional transit web pages.​

For more information:
edmonton.ca/SmartFare
strathcona.ca/smartfare
stalbert.ca/city/transit/fares/


Media contact:
Rowan Anderson
Communications Advisor
Communications and Engagement
780-690-1605​
 
@Me wanting to sign up: 😀
@Me realizing that it's only for people 18 and up and I'm 17: 😢
 
DTYEG said:
I would just sign up anyway. It says you have to be 18+ in order to win the contest, but when you complete the form there is a question about ago and you can select under 18.
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And honestly, not that I would *ever* promote lying. Buuut, I can imagine that they city would care more about having a semi-frequent transit user who gives high-quality, well thought out feedback over someone who's a few months older, and doesn't. Unless they do ID checks for this, I can't imagine it would be a big deal if your finger slipped over the 18-24 age range by mistake. Make of that what you will 😉
 
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