March 24, 2021
Media Contact:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
All-in-one systems is first in Maryland, includes fare capping and free transfers
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, Howard County Executive Ball announced an innovative partnership between the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA), the Transit mobile app and Token Transit, giving riders the ability to plan, track and pay for their RTA trip on the same platform, a first in the state of Maryland. Transit was endorsed by the RTA in September 2020 as the agency’s official app for riders to plan trips and track their bus in real time. The partnership with Token Transit is more user-friendly, with the new digital and touch-free fare payment component, as riders can simply display their activated pass to the driver.
These are long-awaited and welcome improvements to our RTA riders and marks the next step in implementing our Transit Development Plan as we improve mobility for Howard County residents. Additionally, this touch-free technology allows for increased safety for riders and drivers during the ongoing pandemic. Thank you to all of our partners for making these enhancements possible, we’re on our way to creating a system that works for more of our community.
Fare capping and free transfers are available when fares are purchased within the Transit app. Fare capping ensures riders receive the best fare offered by the RTA; once riders’ one-way fares equal what would have paid for an unlimited pass, they are automatically upgraded and refunded the difference. One-way fares purchased within the app are valid for 90 minutes, making any transfers within that window free system-wide, providing transit access within Howard, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties and the City of Laurel.
“Offering this new fare payment system to help the RTA prepare for a return to normal service levels this summer is much appreciated and something we have been looking forward to for several months,” said Howard County Office of Transportation Administrator Bruce Gartner, on behalf of RTA’s regional partners. “These low-cost service improvements are exactly what our local governments need to improve customer service and convenience as well as support enhanced safety measures during these unprecedented times.”
Transit is available to download for iPhone and Android at www.transitapp.com or www.transitRTA.com/realtime.