Starting February 24, contactless Interac, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards will be accepted in the Whistler and Pemberton Valley Transit Systems.
Cards linked to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay mobile wallets can also be used, giving you the flexibility to pay the way that works best for you!
Here’s what you need to know to be ready for contactless payments:
1. It’s convenient, secure, and quick
Just step aboard, tap your card to the base of the digital reader, and look for the green checkmark – it’s that easy! The secure system handles the rest, so you can ride with confidence and focus on your trip. Help keep things moving smoothly and have your card ready before you get on the bus.
2. You’ll be charged the single ride fare
If you’re new to transit, your driver can tell you the single ride fare price in your transit system. It’s also posted on the farebox, bctransit.com, and displayed on the validator screen after you tap. In transit systems that offer both adult and concession rates, contactless payments will be charged the adult single ride fare.
3. Use the same card each time
Contactless payments automatically give you fare privileges available in your transit system, such as a transfer or a fare capped DayPASS. But to get them, you need to pay with the same card each time! If you switch cards during the day, the system can’t recognize you and won’t be able to issue those free rides.
Fare capped digital DayPASS – Your card will automatically be recognized as a digital DayPASS after your second payment of the day. Then, continue to tap your card for the remainder for the service day without being charged again.
Digital transfer – Your card will automatically be issued a digital transfer as you pay. Then, tap your card on a second bus to ride again without being charged. A digital transfer is valid for 90 minutes from your original trip’s departure and good for one use.
Physical cards and that same card linked to mobile wallets are recognized as two different payment methods and cannot be used interchangeably to receive a transfer or DayPASS.
4. Tap one card only
Whether you’re using a card or card linked to a mobile wallet – only tap something to the validator if you want to be charged. If multiple cards are tapped at the same time, the system will charge the first one it detects, and you could be charged more than once. Avoid card clash and remove your card from your wallet or separate your phone from an attached wallet before you tap.
5. One card per rider
Cards cannot be shared between riders. The system will decline a payment method that has been passed back from one rider to another.
BC Transit’s customer call centre is here to help.
Still have questions about contactless payments? Call 877-380-8181 toll-free. The call centre is open:
