The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) says that 35 of the 324 buses in its fleet are now equipped with EZfare validators, which let riders who have purchased
tickets on EZfare via the Transit App digitally scan a QR code as they board.
RTA spokesman Robert Fleig told Scene that the goal is to have all fixed-route vehicles equipped with EZfare validators by the end of this year.
Installation of the validators at Tower City is lagging slightly behind. RTA's goal is to have them operable at the downtown transit hub at some point during the first quarter of 2023. Previously, supply chain issues were cited for the delays. Until the validators are installed, passengers with EZfare tickets must show their phones to the booth attendant to pass through the turnstiles.
Fleig noted that RTA intends to install validators in all light rail trains (the Blue and Green Line Rapid) and Paratransit vehicles as well, though those aren't expected to be installed until the first and second quarters of next year.
RTA launched its partnership with the mobile ticketing service EZfare in June. On the Transit App, passengers can purchase single ride, all-day, 7-day and monthly fare cards and have access to 13 other transit agencies in Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky that also provide mobile tickets on the app.
The Transit App is also helpful for planning trip routes and monitoring the location of buses and trains in real time. The app is available for free in the App Store.
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