EZfare, a multi-state mobile ticketing app featuring 14 transit agencies in partnership with Masabi, the company bringing Fare Payment-as-a-Service to public transit, has been named the Innovative Solutions Award Winner for Mobility by METRO Magazine for 2020. Now in its sixth year, the Innovative Solutions Award honors bus operations and their supply partners who have implemented initiatives that have helped them save money, run more efficiently, streamline operations, increase safety, improve customer service, increase ridership, and more.
The award was broken down into six categories, Technology, Safety, Passenger Experience, Operations, Clean Tech and Mobility. NEORide, a council of governments dedicated to the development and promotion of regional public transportation services spearheaded the creation of the EZfare mobile ticketing app. As of October 2020, 14 agencies across Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan are now included in what is the first tri-state mobile ticketing app in the nation.
Through the EZfare app, which is powered by Masabi’s Justride fare payments platform, users can purchase fares on any of the participating agency’s networks, anytime, from anywhere. EZfare is also available through multiple partners including Moovit, Transit and Uber, all powered by Masabi’s Justride SDK, the world’s first mobile ticketing software development kit (SDK) for public transportation.
According to Katherine Conrad, Director of Client Services, “Riders can now download the EZfare app, or find us through our partnerships with Moovit, Transit and Uber to purchase tickets across multiple transit systems in a single location, therefore eliminating the need to wait in line at multiple transit systems or carry cash.
The initial uptake of EZfare has been strong, with the service processing over $1.2 million in fare revenue after launching in late 2019 and helping to facilitate over 640,000 more convenient journeys by the beginning of March 2020. Now with COVID-19, more agencies are utilizing EZfare as an “touchless” mode of payment.
“Every transit agency involved walked into the project with the intention of building a stronger system together. As a result of that mindset, within a year, we have built a nationally recognized mobile ticketing system that is at the infancy of its potential.” says Conrad.
“EZfare has been a fantastic demonstration of the power of technology to simplify and enhance passenger experience, while also benefiting transit agencies who have worked together to build something greater than the sum of their parts,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO at Masabi. “Offering choice in facilitating end-to-end journeys with world-leading partners removes friction for riders and encourages them to pursue other methods of transport than their own vehicles, presenting a safe, cost-effective and efficient transportation alternative.”
To view the full article published by METRO Magazine click here: https://www.metro-magazine.com/10127528/innovative-solutions-awards-mobility?fbclid=IwAR2TWfd-ddbAEkuvrHBvPs4nUW5uAoche8TecG0r8j-n5uzTnfF8BHFdpgU
