Transit System: Prince George
BC Transit’s Umo (pronounced “you-mo”) electronic fare system is now live in the Prince George Regional Transit System. Umo introduces contactless payment methods and new fare products that improve the transit experience by allowing riders to pick the best options for their lifestyle and travel habits.
New Payment Methods
New payment methods include the Umo Mobility app and a reloadable Umo card. The Umo Mobility app is free in the Apple App and Google Play stores. Once downloaded, riders create an account to purchase and manage their fare products. When ready to travel, riders open their app to display a dynamic QR code that serves as their fare product. As riders board the bus, they present their app’s QR code to a new onboard validator. The Umo app also provides riders with additional tools to help them plan their trip including real-time information and maps.
Riders alternatively have the choice of using a reloadable Umo card. A Umo card is available for free from a BC Transit Umo vendor. The card is designed for repeated use and can be continually topped up with fare products through a vendor, online at ca.umopass.com, or through Umo’s customer service call centre at 877-380-8181. When boarding, riders tap their card at the new onboard validator. Riders are recommended to register their card by creating a Umo account online or through the Umo customer service call centre using the unique number on the back of their card. Registering a Umo card will safeguard fare products in the event a card is misplaced. A list of BC Transit Umo fare vendors is listed at bctransit.com/prince-george/fares/where-to-buy.
New and Improved Fare Products
Umo introduces improvements and changes to some of the fare products riders use in the Prince George Regional Transit System. Cash Balance, an alternative to cash and tickets, is a pre-deposited dollar amount loaded to a Umo card or app. A Cash Balance is drawn from as riders take trips or purchase a pass product. Riders paying with a Cash Balance will have their fare capped and automatically converted to a digital DayPASS after payment on their second trip of the day.
A digital DayPASS now provides riders using a Umo payment method unlimited daily travel. A rider will know a digital DayPASS has been applied to their Umo payment method by referencing a confirmation message on the onboard validator’s digital screen. Riders are still able to purchase a paper DayPASS on board with cash or two tickets.
A 30-Day Pass, eventually replacing the existing Monthly Pass, can be activated on any day of the month and provides riders with unlimited trips during a continuous 30-day period. A 30-Day Pass activates on first use, not when purchased. The final date for Monthly Pass product sales is still to be confirmed but BC Transit plans to provide riders several months to convert to the 30-Day Pass.
While it is expected most riders will find one of Umo’s new payment methods and fare products a more convenient option, cash will continue to be accepted for riders who prefer it.
More Information
BC Transit’s Umo customer service call centre is live for support. Riders can call 877-380-8181 toll-free from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to receive support. Visit bctransit.com/umo more information on Umo, including video tutorials and frequently asked questions.
At a future date, BC Transit plans to provincially enable onboard payments with debit and credit cards.
Media Contacts
BC Transit Communications
media@bctransit.com
