Metro riders get easier way to pay for transit

Paying for transit rides around Seattle is about to get more convenient.

King County Metro is launching mobile ticketing, which means you don't have to fumble for cash if you don't have an ORCA card.

>> Related: Why is paying for mass transit so difficult in Seattle, compared to other cities?

Jeff Switzer of Metro showed KIRO 7 News' Graham Johnson a beta version of the app called Transit Go Ticket.

Under a six to 12 month pilot project, using the app, tickets can be purchased for use on King County Metro buses, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar and Sound Transit’s Link light rail and Sounder trains.

Riders can pay with the app by loading in their credit card information, rather than pay with cash when boarding the bus.

After paying on the app, riders will show bus drivers the mobile ticket while boarding. Cash is still being accepted on the buses, but Switzer said this give riders another option to pay.

The app is meant for casual bus riders, meaning if you take the bus every day an ORCA card is still the best way to pay for transportation.

Data gathered in the next year will determine whether Metro fully implements the service or makes adjustments.

How does it work?

Riders who don’t want to pay cash or purchase an ORCA pass can:

• Download the Transit GO Ticket app for Android, Apple or Windows mobile devices.
• Create an account
• Purchase one or more tickets through the app using a credit card or debit card.
• Activate the tickets needed just prior to boarding, there is no limit to the number of tickets that can be activated at one time.
• Show the mobile display to a transit operator, a water taxi fare collector, or have it available if requested by a fare inspector on RapidRide, Link light rail or Sounder.
• Transfers are allowed between Metro buses within a two-hour window.

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Cox Media Group