Transit App Mobile Ticketing
No crinkled bills or loose change
Transit with EZFare is a new way to pay for bus fare on your smartphone. It’s a state-of-the-art application that lets you purchase tickets and passes for Metro, Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) and Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) on your smartphone.
How To Use The App
Transit with EZFare is a new way to pay for bus fare on your smartphone. Download the Transit app which provides the ability to plan and track your bus. Click the EZFare button at the bottom to pay for your fare! It’s that simple. And it also lets you purchase fare for TANK, the Southbank Shuttle, Metro, the Cincinnati Bell Connector and Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) all in one place.
Download the App
Go to either the App Store (for iPhones) or Google Play (for Android devices) and search for “Transit App.” Follow the instructions for your phone.
Set up Your Account
While making a purchase in the app for the first time, you will be prompted to create an account after accepting the regulations for your fare. Transit will ask your email, your name, to create a password, and to add a payment method.
Purchase a Ticket
Open the app and tap the “buy ticket” button at the bottom of the screen. Make sure you have location services turned on, or that you navigate to the Greater Cincinnati Area in the app to activate the “buy ticket” feature.
Choose type and quantity of tickets you want
You may buy multiple tickets for later use. All 1-ride tickets are sold in two packs to avoid processing fees.
Check out
Check out with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express
Use your ticket
When boarding, show your activated ticket to the bus operator. For verification purposes, the operator may ask you to tap the active ticket to display the dynamic QR barcode that shows that it is a valid ticket.
App Benefits
- Ability to plan trips, pay fare and track bus in real-time on one app
- Works with TANK, Metro, Cincinnati Bell Connector and BCRTA for regional travel
- Buy fare on your phone and store them for future use
- No need to use paper tickets, have exact change or find a ticket machine
- Free to download – no service fee
- Pay for yourself or a group
User Tips
- Turn on your phone’s locator services for the app (strongly recommended).
- Create an account before purchasing tickets. Tickets cannot be purchased without an account.
- Watch your battery level. Just like with paper tickets, you’re responsible for making sure you have valid fare at all times. Remember to keep your phone charged!
- Activate your ticket before boarding.
- All sales are final with no refunds given.
More FAQs
Devices & Troubleshooting
Where can I get Transit Support?
Visit Transit Support or click “Help” on the transit app.
If your app is being unresponsive do not uninstall your app! Try logging out of the app and logging back in, and then try powering your phone off and then back on. If you continue to experience technical difficulties, tap the wheel icon on the top left hand corner of your app, followed by the Transit logo on the top right hand side. From here, you can contact Transit.
Do you need a smartphone to use Transit with EZFare?
Yes, you must have a smartphone device that can access the internet. While the internet is required to complete the purchase of tickets, it is not required to activate them.
You can download the Transit with EZFare app on iPhones running an operating system of iOS 1.0 and above and Android phones running an operating system of 5.0.1 and above.
Can I use the app on my tablet device?
While Transit can be accessed and used on tablets that allow the download of regular apps from the App Store or Google Play Store, Transit is not optimized for tablet devices; Transit therefore cannot provide support in case issues arise with someone using the app on a tablet.
When I open the app for the first time, it recommends that I turn on location services – why?
We recommend that you grant permission for this access. There are several reasons the app uses this information to make your user experience more satisfying. Allow Transit to access your location so it can provide nearby transportation options and trip results without you having to search for your location. Allow Transit to access you location while using the GO feature in the app, which helps to provide more accurate real-time vehicle locations to other riders. Allow Transit to access your location when reporting a bug or sending feedback about the app, to help Transit’s team in addressing the issue.
Is Transit with EZFare secure?
Masabi, who supports the purchasing portion of the application, is the leading provider of mobile payment technology for public transportation agencies across the world and is committed to customer account security.
Finally, Transit with EZFare uses Transport Layer Security 1.1+ (TLS 1.1+) to securely transfer sensitive data between the application and servers. This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain secure. Payment data is tokenized by a third party payment services company. The payment tokens are stored encrypted in database. Personal information is also stored in the same database. That database’s data in encrypted at rest using 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-256).
What if I get a new phone? Can I transfer my tickets?
Yes. When you activate your new phone, re-download Transit and log into your account. You tickets should appear.
What if my phone is lost or stolen?
If your phone is lost or stolen, contact Customer Service at (859) 331-TANK or email info@tankbus.org immediately to freeze any unused tickets. Download the app on your new phone, and then contact Customer Service for assistance in accessing unused tickets.
Will a bus operator show me how to use the app?
Bus operators and other personnel may explain how to use the app. Please use the “Help” feature in the app for additional instructions.
What if my screen is unreadable?
Your ticket must be able to be read and displayed or it is not valid.
My ticket takes a long time to display, what can I do?
Don’t uninstall your app! Some devices with older operating systems do not work as fast as newer phones. If you have an older phone that works a little slower, please be sure to give yourself plenty of time to activate the ticket before your vehicle arrives. You should also check to make sure you don’t have too many applications open at one time, which can also affect the responsiveness of the app.
What if my battery dies?
You are responsible for showing proof of valid fare to Metro, TANK and BCRTA operators or other authorized personnel. If you are unable to display the ticket on your mobile device, it is not valid. We recommend carrying a travel battery pack to avoid this.
Other Transit Providers
Can I use the Transit with EZFare app to purchase tickets for the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar?
Yes.
Doesn’t Metro already have an app?
Yes, Metro already has Cincy EZRide. But that app doesn’t have a robust trip-planning feature nor does it offer trip planning, fare purchasing or bus tracking for TANK and BCRTA. The new app offers that and more. These are features customers have told us they want available in an app.
What are the benefits of using Transit with EZFare?
- Ability to plan trips, pay fare and track bus in real-time on one app
- Works with TANK, Metro, Cincinnati Bell Connector and BCRTA for regional travel
- Buy fare on your phone and store them for future use
- No need to use paper tickets, have exact change or find a ticket machine
- Free to download – no service fee
- Pay for yourself or a group
What does it cost to use Transit with EZFare?
The app is free to download and use. The only cost is what you pay for your tickets or passes. No service or handling fee is added to the cost of the tickets or passes.
Trip Planning
When should I activate my tickets?
You can activate your ticket when you see your bus approaching. Your ticket must be activated before boarding a vehicle. All 1-ride tickets expire five minutes after activation.
Does Transit with EZFare provide real-time arrival information?
Yes, Transit shows real-time schedules and bus tracking for Metro, TANK and BCRTA buses. To find out more about how to use the app, visit Transit’s Help Center.
Can I use the app to plan my trip?
Yes, you can select a starting location and enter an ending destination and get trip information, then track the vehicle in real-time as it approaches your location. Transit’s trip planner also allows you to save favorite locations and pulls up addresses from your phone’s calendar to plan your favorite routes. To find out more about how to use the trip planner, visit Transit’s Help Center.
Can I use the app as a trip-planner only without buying mobile tickets?
Yes, you do not have to buy mobile tickets to use the trip-planning and real-time bus tracking features of the app.
How does the Transit with EZFare application know my current location?
When you first open the app, Transit requests that you turn your location services on. By enabling location services, Transit uses the GPS on your smartphone to provide more accurate information.
Can I plan a trip using multiple buses or agencies?
Yes, the app provides trip planning, fare payment and bus tracking for Metro, TANK and BCRTA.
Purchasing Fares
What does it cost to use Transit with EZFare?
The app is free to download and use. The only cost is what you pay for your tickets or passes. No service or handling fee is added to the cost of the tickets or passes.
Will I have to create an account to purchase a ticket?
Yes. It is necessary to have an account to purchase tickets. You must enter a valid email address, name, and then select a password and payment method to create an account. Having a Transit account will ensure that your tickets will not be lost if your phone is lost or stolen. A Transit account also saves your app settings (such as home and work locations, or your favorite transit lines). To learn more about managing your Transit Account, visit Transit’s Help Center.
Can I purchase more than one ticket at a time?
Yes, you can purchase up to 20 tickets in a single transaction. Unused tickets reside in your Ticket Wallet until activated.
Do I need a wireless connection to buy tickets or use tickets?
You will need a network data connection or wireless connection to purchase tickets. You will not need a network data connection or wireless connection to activate or to display a ticket.
Can I purchase a 30-day rolling pass with the app?
The app offers a 30-day rolling pass, which does not lock you into a calendar month, and provides the flexibility to purchase and use the pass at any time during the month.
Note: You may use Metro Zone 1 and Zone 2 passes to ride anywhere Metro goes. Using these passes in higher zones will require a cash drop in the farebox to pay the zone fare. 30-day passes for Harrison, Zone 4, Clermont or Zone 5 may only be used in those zones or lower. This is due to the technical limitations of Metro’s fareboxes.
Can I purchase a Metro/TANK (M/T) 30-day rolling pass using the app?
Yes. TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) accepts the M/T 30-day rolling pass mobile ticket.
We are also introducing a new Metro/TANK day pass for $5 that offers unlimited rides on both systems from time of activation until 3 a.m. the following day.
Can I purchase regional stored-value cards using the app?
No, stored-value cards are not supported by the app at this time.
Can I purchase reduced fare or reduced fare stickers using the app?
Not at this time. We may add these and possibly other fare options at a later date.
Can I set up automatic purchases?
No, you will have to purchase tickets or passes every time you need them. However, you may purchase up to 20 tickets at one time for future use.
Note: you may have up to 40 1-ride tickets, 20 day passes and five 30-day rolling passes in your ticket wallet at any one time.
Do I need a credit or debit card to use the app?
Yes, you must have a valid credit or debit card to purchase tickets or passes using Transit with EZFare.
Which credit cards do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
Do you accept reloadable debit cards?
Yes, but you may need to verify the billing zip code with the financial institution that issued the reloadable debit card.
Can I store more than one card?
Not at this time. However, you can always update your payment method while purchasing a ticket. Before confirming a purchase, tap on “Payment method” to change cards.
How do I add my debit/credit card to my account?
When you first create an account, you will need to add a payment method. While making future purchases, you will be able to modify your card information before confirming your purchase.
Where is my personal information and credit card information stored?
All personal and credit card information is stored as tokenized data on securely encrypted Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)-compliant servers. Personal information is treated with the same care with which we treat payment information and is stored encrypted at rest in the same location.
What if my credit/debit card is declined?
First, confirm you have the correct bank card details registered in the app exactly as they appear on your card and billing statement, including zip code and three-digit security code on the back. If everything is correct, contact your bank for further information.
How quickly is the payment processed?
Once the payment is authorized, the payment is processed immediately. A receipt is sent automatically to the email address linked to your account.
Using Purchased Fares
If my employer subsidizes part of my transit cost, can I still use the app?
You may be able to receive reimbursement by providing your employer with a receipt of your ticket purchase, but you should check with your employer first. A receipt is sent to your email address after each ticket purchase in the app. Additionally, if you have a transit benefit card with the Visa/MasterCard logo, you can use it to purchase tickets with the app.
Please check with your employer for details on what options are available for you. Employer-provided annual passes for Rt. 85 are not supported by the app at this time.
Can I get a refund if I lose my device or purchase the wrong ticket?
No, all tickets are non-refundable. If you lose your mobile device, notify Customer Service at the respective agency(ies) for help freezing any unused tickets and transferring them to your new mobile device.
Does a mobile ticket expire?
Yes, all mobile tickets are set to expire after 365 days whether they have been activated or not. (decision of the agency)
Additionally, each activated ticket has a clear date and countdown timer to let you know it is still valid and when it will expire. Once the ticket or pass expires it will automatically be removed from your ticket wallet.
What if the ticket expires before I can use it?
If your activated ticket expires before you can use it, you will need to purchase another ticket for your trip. That’s why you should wait until you see your bus approaching to activate your ticket.
Can I use multiple tickets at the same time for myself and my family or friends?
Yes, you may activate as many tickets as you want at a given time in order to pay the fare for others traveling with you.
Where can I use mobile tickets?
You may use mobile tickets on all Metro, TANK and BCRTA buses.
In addition, seven other transit systems in the State of Ohio offer tickets through this app:
- Laketran
- Medina County Public Transit (MCPT)
- Akron Metro
- Portage Area Regional Transit Authority (PARTA)
- Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA)
- Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA)
- Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA)
How do I show the QR bar code if I’m asked to do so?
Tap the text box in the middle of an active ticket to switch to the QR bar code. Tapping the QR bar code returns the screen to the active ticket.
Can I see how much time is left on the active ticket before it expires?
Yes, the ticket itself displays the time and date it was activated, as well as when it expires. You can also see the ticket expiry date and time in your ticket wallet.
Once your ticket expires, you may remain on the vehicle to complete your trip, but you may not board another vehicle until you buy or activate another ticket.