Valley Metro testing mobile ticket app for buses, light rail
Apr 5, 2018, 4:32 AM
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PHOENIX — Valley Metro will be testing an app for the next year that will let passengers board both buses and the light rail with passes on their cellphones, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.
During the free Pass2Go pilot program, users will only be able to purchase full-day passes. Those will be good for all of the city’s bus services — including express and rapid lines — along with the train.
Valley Metro Communications Manager Susan Tierney said the agency decided to work on its app after receiving customer feedback.
“There really is increased rider demand to have more simple processes when it comes to paying for a trip and planning for a trip,” she said.
The Test Flight app was also integrated with both Lyft and Uber, along with the GriD Bike system, to help people get from one place to another without having to jump behind the wheel.
The app sought to make traveling across the Phoenix area simpler. Users can enter their start and end points and the app will create a trip itinerary for them.
“This just makes it easier for our passengers to take a transit trip and use one of the other app services and have it all integrated into one single place,” Tierney said.
The program will be paid for through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. Tierney said the agency will take what it learns from the pilot and apply it to its current app, RideKick.
Only several hundred people will take part in the testing phase. Anyone interested in applying should email Valley Metro at pass2go@valleymetro.org.
KTAR News’ Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.