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Umo comes to public transit in Canada's Sault Ste. Marie

Ontario city's transit system will still include a cash payment option
By Adam Hill September 21, 2023 Read time: 1 min
Boarding should now be quicker for bus passengers (© Candy1812 | Dreamstime.com)

Sault Ste. Marie Transit in Ontario, Canada, is using Cubic Transportation Systems' cloud-based payment system Umo.

Riders can go contactless by tapping a reloadable Umo smartcard or using the Umo Mobility app on mobile devices to pay their fare.

“One of the most anticipated features of the Umo system is the implementation of smart card bus passes, including automatic digital transfers,” said Brent Lamming, director of community services at the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie. 

“Passengers will enjoy the convenience of purchasing and storing their bus passes digitally. These smart cards, coupled with an intuitive mobile app, will offer a simplified method for accessing transit services, allowing riders to swiftly board buses without the hassle of handling physical tickets.”

Umo will help reduce boarding times, but customers will still be able to use cash using Tag Canada's integrated mechanical fareboxes.

Matt Newsome, SVP and GM, Cubic Transportation Systems, says: “The Umo platform helps enable frictionless, equitable access to transit for all, and we are excited to help bring those benefits to eastern Canada."

Funding was received from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program as well as the Canadian government and Province of Ontario.

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