Riders on Bloomington Transit who use the new app will pay no more than the cost of a monthly bus pass. Here’s what you need to know.
How much do bus rides cost in Bloomington?
The regular fare is $1 per ride, but Bloomington Transit offers rides for 50 cents to people 60 and older, students enrolled in grades K-12, and people with disabilities who receive assistance from the Social Security Administration, Medicare, or who submit an application. completed BT Reduced Fare application, verified by a doctor or an approved body. BTaccess and microtransit rides cost $2.
What is BLink? Bloomington is expanding public transportation with on-demand service in areas with few buses
Can Indiana University students still ride Bloomington buses for free?
Yes.
IU students, faculty and staff, the City of Bloomington government, qualified Monroe County Public Library and IU Health employees can ride BT fixed-route buses for free.
What is the new payment method for Bloomington buses?
Bloomington Transit uses the Token Transit mobile app, but will switch to Umo on November 18.
How does UMO work?
Passengers can use Umo’s mobile app or card to pay fares for buses and microtransit services. People can download the Umo app or get a reloadable card at Bloomington Transit offices or the Downtown Transfer Center.
What if I still have a balance with Token Transit?
You can continue to use Token Transit until your balance runs out. After that you will have to switch to UMO or use another payment method.
Where can I get more information about Umo?
Visit bloomingtontransit.com/umo/
What is rate limit?
BT said in a press release that a primary benefit of Umo will be price caps. This means that as long as passengers scan Umo to pay for their travel, their monthly spend with BT will not exceed $30 for regular fare passengers and $15 for reduced fare passengers. Fare limits apply to fixed bus routes and BLink trips (microtransit only).
Managing director John Connell said in a press release: Umo “provides equality by allowing those who are unable to purchase a discounted monthly pass in advance to receive the same benefits as those who can. Using Umo protects our riders from overpaying in the long term.”
Can you still pay for Bloomington bus rides with cash?
Yes. You can still pay in cash for rides, although as before you will need the exact amount as drivers do not give change.
How else can I pay for bus rides in Bloomington?
You can purchase passes from Bloomington Transit, including a discounted monthly pass for $15 to a full-price semi-annual pass for $150. Semi-annual passes are valid from January 1 to June 30 or from July 1 to December 31. The passes are prorated if you purchase them for a shorter duration.
Can I still get real-time locations of buses?
Yes, the ETA Spot app will continue to provide real-time bus information.
Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared in The Herald-Times: Ways to Pay Bloomington Transit Bus Fare with Cash Free Rides Through App
