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Tap & Ride

Connecticut Integrated Transit Mobility Project (CT-ITMP)

Introduction

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is excited to introduce the Tap & Ride pilot project. This project will test the implementation of contactless debit/credit card fare payments on River Valley Transit and CTtransit Meriden Division buses. The goal of the Tap & Ride pilot is to provide a fare payment option that is quick, easy, and convenient for customers.

Tap & Ride Details

Beginning in the fall of 2024, River Valley Transit and the CTtransit Meriden Division will have contactless fare payment validators on board their buses, providing the first ever contactless fare technology available to transit customers in Connecticut. Customers will be able to use their mobile wallet, debit, credit, and pre-paid cards that support contactless payments to purchase their bus fare as they are boarding. It makes paying for transit as easy as paying for a cup of coffee! All forms of fare collection accepted prior to the introduction of these new validators will continue to be accepted. 

Validator pictured below:

Tap & Ride Project Timeline

FAQs 

Can I still purchase bus passes the way I usually do?

YES. The introduction of this technology will provide bus customers an additional option to pay for bus fares. All the methods of fare payment you already use will remain. You are not required to switch to using the contactless fare payments, but we do recommend trying it!

How does the system work? 

Fare payments are calculated through a process called fare capping. Fare capping is a pay-as-you-go system that guarantees you will not pay more than the lowest authorized fare for any period of travel, without having to pay the full cost of a pass in advance. 

Do the new validators scan Go CT cards?

NO. Go CT cards which are only offered on CTtransit vehicles, are not compatible with the Tap & Ride validators.

Will my information be kept safe?

YES. The contactless payment validators will utilize contactless EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) technology. This is the highest standard in electronic transaction security that processes your card information in a safe, responsible manner.

Which buses will offer Tap & Ride?

All fixed-route River Valley Transit buses will contain the contactless payment validators. The routes can be viewed at this link: Schedules Archive - River Valley Transit. 5 of the CTtransit Meriden Division routes will also have contactless fare payment capabilities. These are routes 561, 563, 564, 565, and 566. Routes 215 North Haven/Meriden/Wallingford and 940 Meriden/Waterbury express will not be included in the Tap & Ride pilot this fall.  

Project Partner

If you’d like to obtain more information about safe and affordable bank accounts, please visit cahs.org/bankon.html

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This project is made possible due to funding from a stage 1 USDOT Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SMART