The Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD) announced the release of their new smartphone app called “go!SMTD”. The new app is a continuation of the implementation of SMTD’s Genfare farebox system and gives passengers access to more options to purchase passes, pay their fare, receive alerts, and plan their trips.
“We’re excited to release the go!SMTD app, because this takes SMTD to a new level of customer service,” said SMTD Managing Director Steve Schoeffel. “Instead of passengers having to find a physical location to purchase passes or order online and receive them by snail mail, the app makes most fares and passes available virtually.”
Instead of the well-known yellow bus pass that provided twenty rides for twenty dollars, fixed route passengers can now purchase unlimited ride one-day, seven-day, and thirty-one-day passes. The period clock begins the first time the pass is used. While magnetic encoded paper passes are available, SMTD is encouraging passengers to download the app and try it out first.
“To make the whole process easier for passengers and for SMTD, we encourage the public to try out the app,” said Melissa Ashford, SMTD Director of Operations and the lead on the Genfare project. “Most people today are familiar with downloading apps and using their phones for all kinds of transactions, and we hope they find our app as useful and convenient. Any fares purchased through the app are available to use immediately at the farebox without a processing delay.”
Ashford noted that SMTD will still honor existing passes and tokens that passengers have already purchased. Passengers currently approved for Senior/Disabled half-fare discounted passes or Access Paratransit service will need to contact SMTD or Access Paratransit to have their accounts set up in the new system first in order to receive their discount through the app, as the app downloaded directly from either app store will default to a regular $1.25 fixed route fare account. Contact SMTD at 217-522-6087 or Access Paratransit at 217-522-8594.
The app is available in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. After a significant promotional period for the new app, SMTD plans to begin formally releasing the new BusTap reloadable smart cards that will be available at customer service and ticket vending machines at the new HUB Transfer Center when it opens later this year.
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