PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Public Transit Authority has launched a mobile app, so passengers can buy tickets and passes from their smartphones and show the bus driver when they board, the organization announced July 12.
It is part of a broader effort toward advanced technology and a better passenger experience that will eventually include buses equipped with scanning devices, according to RIPTA leadership.
“For now, passengers will show their mobile tickets to bus operators when they board, but in a little more than a year, we will have devices on all our vehicles enabling riders to simply scan their mobile devices,” said RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian.
The new app can be used with either iOS or Android devices, RIPTA said in an email. Developed by Bytemark in New York City, the app can be found in the Apple App store and Google Play store under “RIPTA Flash Pass.”
As part of the broader fare payment upgrade system, RIPTA said passengers will also be able to set up online accounts, have reusable smart cards and more statewide locations from which to purchase tickets and passes.
RIPTA will monitor the app, which is in beta mode, and its performance.
Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributing writer.
