King County launches new, cashless app for transit users

Riders who don’t want to pay cash to ride public transportation now have a new way to pay. King County Metro Transit is launching the Puget Sound region’s first-ever mobile ticket app, Transit GO Ticket, allowing riders to buy and redeem transit tickets on their mobile devices.

Under a six to 12 month pilot project, tickets can be purchased for use on King County Metro buses, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar and Sound Transit’s Link light rail and Sounder trains.

Currently, riders pay cash, purchase tickets or use an ORCA card to ride. The app is designed to be more convenient for infrequent transit riders, including visitors, sports fans or those who would otherwise pay cash.

Riders can use the app on Apple, Android or Windows mobile devices. To pay a fare, they can show the purchase on their devices to the collector.

“Transit GO Tickets are the latest example of innovations that make transit easier for our customers,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “We look forward to hearing from the community about mobile tickets as we continue to make sure Metro and Sound Transit offer seamless, efficient service across town and across the region.”

Mobile tickets are the latest milestone in Constantine’s efforts toward greater regional transit integration between King County Metro and Sound Transit. This includes joint regional planning and the bus and rail integration as Sound Transit extended Link light rail to Capitol Hill and UW.

Data gathered in the next year will determine whether Metro fully implements the service or makes adjustments.

The pilot project is budgeted at approximately $470,000 and 86 percent of the project is funded by Federal Transit Administration grant.

How does it work?

Riders who don’t want to pay cash or purchase an ORCA pass can:

· Download the Transit GO Ticket app for Android, Apple or Windows mobile devices.

· Create an account

· Purchase one or more tickets through the app using a credit card or debit card.

· Activate the tickets needed just prior to boarding, there is no limit to the number of tickets that can be activated at one time.

· Show the mobile display to a the operator.

· Transfers are allowed between Metro buses within a two-hour window.