Photo: SacRT
Sacramento expands contactless ticketing on light rail
09 September 2021
by Christopher Carey
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) has announced the rollout of contactless ticketing on all light rail services, with commuters now able to use their credit and debit cards, or payment-enabled smartphones and smartwatches to ‘tap and go’.
The new feature is part of an initiative to improve and simplify the transit experience across the state through the California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP).
To mark the rollout, SacRT is offering US$1 fares for single journeys on light rail during the month of September.
“We are always looking for ways to use innovative technology to make using transit easier and more convenient for the community,” said SacRT CEO Henry Li.
“These devices allow someone to use the same form of payment for their light rail ride and their coffee, simply tap and ride.”
Fare capping
Regardless of how many times a commuter taps to pay, light rail daily fare charges will be capped at US$7, the same value as SacRT’s existing Connect Card Daily Pass.
The demonstration began in June 2021 on the Green Line and has now expanded to all light rail trains on all lines, with contactless payment readers installed at the front or back of each SacRT train.
The new feature is a collaboration between SacRT, Visa, Caltrans, Cybersource, Littlepay and SC Soft.
“Much of our goal is a more modern and consistent transportation experience throughout California,” said California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Director Toks Omishakin.
“Allowing riders to pay for transit with the same method they use elsewhere not only increases efficiency and mobility, but also reduces barriers to using public transportation.”
The SacRT rollout follows the launch of the state-initiated contactless payments trial on Monterey-Salinas Transit buses in May.
Two further trials are running in Santa Barbara on the Clean Air Express – Santa Barbara County Association of Governments’ (SBCAG) commuter bus service, and on buses operated by Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (SBMTD).
Image: SacRT
