Before you board, it helps to know how payment and validation work. Here’s what to expect when riding BC Transit.
You have the option to purchase Single Ride fares when you board the bus or you can purchase Fare Products ahead of time.
How to Purchase Fare Products
You can purchase Umo fare products and load Umo Cash Balance prior to boarding in the following ways. Product availability will depend on your transit system
- In person at a BC Transit retail vendor, to find a vendor visit the Where to Buy page.
- By calling Umo customer service at 877-380-8181
How To Pay When You Board
You can use either cash or Umo to pay your Single Ride or DayPASS fare when you board. A DayPASS is valid for unlimited travel within the transit system where you purchased it.
Pay with Cash
- Make sure you have exact change to pay either the Single Ride or DayPASS fare.
- Insert coins or bills into the farebox to deposit payment.
- If you have paid a DayPASS fare, request a DayPASS from your driver. Use this for the rest of your travel day.
Pay with Umo
- Single Ride fares can be paid using available Umo Cash Balance
- A DayPASS is automatically applied after your second payment of the day. Once you’re capped, you can continue to use Umo without being charged again that day.
How to Use the Umo Validator
To validate your pass, digital fare product or utilize Umo Cash Balance at the time of boarding, follow the below steps:
Using the Umo App
- Open the app and select Show Code to display your QR code.
- Display your QR code to the front of the digital validator. Slowly pull it back until the validator’s scanner is activated.
- Confirm acceptance by referencing the validator’s response screen and listening for auditory signal.
Using your Umo Card
- Tap your card on the base of the digital validator.
- Confirm acceptance by referencing the validator’s response screen and listening for the auditory signal.
Validation: What the Display Means
When you use a digital payment method, the validator displays a response screen to let you know what’s happening.
- Green check mark: Your fare is accepted.
- Amber check mark: Your fare is accepted. This will show if a Umo Cash Balance is running low or if a Umo fare product is close to expiring. Some third-party Umo products will see an amber check mark to confirm the fare is accepted.
- Red X: Your fare wasn’t accepted. This may happen if there’s no valid fare product or not enough Umo Cash Balance.
To confirm your balance or product validity you can check in the Umo app, at ca.umopass.com, or by calling Umo customer service at 877-380-8181.
For information on handyDART fares, visit the handyDART contact section in Rider Info.
