Transit System: Pemberton Valley
BC Transit’s Umo (pronounced “you-mo”) electronic fare system is now live in the Pemberton Valley 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. Live for use today, 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.
Alternatively, available July 8, riders have the choice of using a reloadable Umo card. A Umo card can be picked up for free from a BC Transit Umo vendor and is designed for repeated use. Cards 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. Umo cards will be available at the Village of Pemberton Office and Pemberton and District Community Centre.
New and Improved Fare Products
Umo introduces improvements and changes to some of the fare products riders use in the Pemberton Valley Regional Transit System.
- Cash Balance, an alternative to cash or a Single Ride fare, is a pre-paid dollar amount loaded to a Umo card or app. A Cash Balance value is drawn from by $2.50 when boarding locally or by $4.50 when travelling on the 99 Pemberton Commuter. Student and senior riders are recommended to purchase a Single Ride fare to receive discounted $2.00 local and $4.00 commuter fares.
- A digital transfer, removing the need to collect and retain paper transfer slips, is automatically applied to a Umo app or card at onboard validation. Riders then simply scan or tap their Umo payment method on their second local bus within the 90-minute transfer window to travel again without incurring an additional charge. A rider will know their transfer has been applied by referencing a confirmation message on the onboard validator’s digital screen. A transfer is granted for riders travelling on the 100 Pemberton Local but riders travelling on the 99 Pemberton Commuter to Whistler will need to pay a standalone fare. Separate fares will apply for further travel in the Whistler Regional Transit System.
- A new digital DayPASS provides unlimited local and commuter travel privileges. A DayPASS is recommended for riders that make journeys that involve local and commuter travel and return travel outside of transfer boundaries and windows.
- Digital 10 Rides, eventually replacing paper tickets, is available via Umo at the same discounted price.
- New 30 Day Local and Commuter Passes, eventually replacing existing Monthly Passes, can be activated on any day of the month and provide riders with unlimited travel during a continuous 30-day period. Riders with a 30 Day Commuter Pass may use their pass on local service in addition to the 99 Pemberton Commuter.
The final date for traditional fare product sales is still to be confirmed but BC Transit plans to provide riders several months to transition to a new Umo payment method. While it is expected most riders will find one of Umo’s new payment methods a more convenient option, cash will continue to be accepted for riders who prefer it.
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. Riders are invited to learn more about Umo by visiting bctransit.com/umo or attending an in-person engagement event.
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
