UNION COUNTY, NJ — NJ Transit has begun a pilot program on select bus routes to introduce a new fare-payment technology.
Since June 6, customers on several NJ Transit buses have been using an onboard ticket-validation system that scans barcodes on paper and mobile tickets. This program is the first step toward the future acceptance of contactless payments on buses, NJ Transit said in a recent press release.
“We anticipate this technology will set the stage for the future use of new fare cards as well as open contactless payments through credit and debit cards, giving our customers more flexibility and convenience when paying exact fares,” NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin Corbett said in a June 5 release. “This is a very exciting development for bus customers.”
Customers traveling on bus routes 871, 872, 873, 874, 875 and 880, which operate out of NJ Transit’s Morris Garage, are part of the pilot program.
During this initial phase, customers can scan the barcode on paper or mobile tickets or passes when boarding. As customers board the bus, a validator located near the operator will display a “Welcome’’ message. The ticket or pass must be presented face up so the barcode can be scanned. Valid tickets or passes will display a green indicator with “Have A Nice Trip’’ featured.
The program is the latest digital technology introduced for fare collection, including the May launch of Access Link’s online cashless payment application, EZ Wallet, and the handheld scanner pilot conducted onboard NJ Transit trains to automate fare collection and share real-time service information with crew members.