Coming Soon

Electronic Fare Collection and Contactless Fares

In December 2008, UTA will launch a new electronic fare collection (EFC) system on all UTA buses and trains. EFC is an innovative new way to pay for transit trips and validate transit passes. By tapping an electronic card to a reader on the train platform or bus, riders will validate their usage of a pass or may pay for their trip using a contactless credit or debit card. UTA will also ask riders to tap the card to the reader when exiting the train platform or bus. The full-trip data generated by tapping on and off will allow UTA to analyze travel patterns and to improve service system-wide.

Who Will Use EFC?

Initially, the new system will work for two types of customers:

1. Annual Pass Holders - riders who receive Eco, Med or Ed Passes from their employer or school. Passes will state "electronic fare card" right on the pass. For program details, click here.
2. Single Adult Cash Fare - riders aged 6 - 64 who do not qualify for reduced fare can pay for their fare using a contactless credit or debit card such as American Express expresspay, Discover Network Zip, Mastercard PayPass, and Visa payWave. UTA joins major businesses such as 7-11, Best Buy, McDonalds, Office Depot and many others in accepting this new form of payment.

In the months ahead, UTA is planning to roll out new products that will allow anyone to use the new electronic fare collection system. More information will be made available on this page as new products are made ready for rollout.

How Does EFC Work?

It's easy. Just tap a pass or contactless credit card to the reader. The system automatically recognizes the type of card and responds accordingly.

• Valid Pass holders get a green light and acceptance message on the reader. Then you are free to board. No need to show the card unless requested by the operator or transit police officer. A yellow light means more action is required; check the reader screen for details. If you get a red light or no response your card has been deactivated or stopped working, contact your issuing employer or school to reactivate or get a new card.
• Credit card transactions are authorized in less than a second. Credit card users are charged the single adult cash fare. If your card does not work or is rejected, contact your credit card issuer.

The new EFC system uses the same contactless technology as the major credit card companies for their contactless products. Transactions are protected by high-encryption security and processed in the back office and not at the reader level.

EFC readers will be located at each door on every UTA bus and near the entrances to all TRAX and FrontRunner stations. This makes it easy to "tap on" as you board and "tap off" when exiting the bus or train platform.

How Will UTA Know My Fare Is Valid?

Bus: As you board, the operator will receive a validation message from the reader just as you do and allow you to board. Be sure to tap off at a reader when you exit to complete your ride.

TRAX and FrontRunner: UTA inspectors will carry a small inspection device. When you are asked to show proof of fare, simply produce the pass or the contactless credit or debit card you used to pay, and the inspection device will register the "tap" you made prior to boarding. Remember to tap off when exiting the platform or your ride will be an incomplete trip.

Transfers: If you are paying with a contactless credit or debit card, there is no need to ask for a transfer, the system will automatically recognize you when you switch from one service to another. You will only be charged for one trip if it is within the two hour transfer window. Tapping on and off each time you board and exit tells the EFC system where you began and ended your trip and you will be charged only for the most expensive service used.

Example: A woman begins her trip on a bus in Salt Lake City and pays for the trip using a contactless credit card. The card is pre-authorized for the single adult cash fare (currently $2.25). She taps off at the door when exiting the bus at Salt Lake Central Station and then taps the same card on a reader at the entrance to the FrontRunner platform. The EFC system now knows that she has transferred to FrontRunner and pre-authorizes her card for the maximum fare to the end of the line (currently $6.50). She rides to Layton and taps the reader as she exits the FrontRunner platform. The EFC system calculates her distance-based fare from Salt Lake City to Layton (currently $4.50) and credits the transfer from bus to train. Total charge for the trip = $4.50.

Contactless Credit and Debit Card Users

UTA will provide a secure web interface that allows credit card users to view their trips and associated charges. UTA does not store any personal credit card information in our system. Our readers work just like the credit card readers used by any other business.

Privacy & Security

The EFC system does not allow anyone at UTA or our partners to track an individual's movements on the buses or rail. The data is generated in an aggregate form that allows UTA to analyze and understand traffic throughout the transit system in order to improve overall service to and better plan for the future. Your personal privacy is assured.

The system uses Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security, which uses high encryption to prevent anyone from capturing your information remotely or while a transaction is being performed. A lost or stolen card should be immediately reported to the card issuer, who will be able to turn off the lost card and activate a new replacement.

Eco/Med Pass Program Details

Businesses or health care facilities participating in the UTA Eco or Med Pass program will receive new electronic fare cards in December to replace the old cards that will expire Dec. 31. The new cards will not have an expiration date as they will never "expire". Cards will be turned on and off by the employer as employees join or leave the company and activated automatically each year as a company renews its contract with UTA.

The cards may be regular Eco or Med Passes, valid only on local buses and TRAX, or they may be premium passes, good for all UTA buses, TRAX and FrontRunner. This is determined by the organization's contract with UTA. The card will be smart enough to know the difference when tapped to the reader. Customers using a regular Eco of Med Pass on a premium service such as FrontRunner or an express bus will be required to purchase an upgrade ticket for FrontRunner or pay the fare upgrade when boarding an express bus.

All Eco/Med Pass users will be required to "tap on" when boarding and "tap off" when exiting a bus or train platform to validate the fare. Cards not properly validated may be deactivated and require reactivation by the card issuer.

Ed Pass Program Details

Universities, Colleges, & Schools on the Ed Pass

Beginning this fall, students, faculty and staff of schools participating in the UTA Ed Pass program will receive new cards for use on UTA buses, TRAX and FrontRunner. Although the new cards say “electronic fare card” in preparation for the new EFC system, these cards are valid as “flash” passes (you show them to the operator or transit police officer just as you have in the past) through December 2008.

Once the new electronic fare system is launched, Ed Pass holders will be required to “tap on” when boarding, and “tap off” when exiting the bus or train platform to validate the fare. Cards not properly validated may be deactivated and require reactivation by the card issuer.

Ed Pass program details vary by school. Some schools have already joined with UTA to combine the new electronic Ed Pass with their student ID card. Others will continue to use a separate UTA Ed Pass card. See below for details on how the program is being implemented at your school.

LDS Business College* – Your new Ed Pass will serve as a “flash” pass until December 2008 and as an electronic fare card for as long as you are enrolled at or employed by LDS Business College. Valid on all UTA buses, TRAX and FrontRunner.

Brigham Young University* – Your new Ed Pass will serve as a “flash” pass until December 2008 and as an electronic fare card for as long as you are enrolled at or employed by Brigham Young University. Valid on all UTA buses, TRAX and FrontRunner.

Salt Lake Community College – Due to a delay in manufacturing, SLCC’s new Ed Pass cards were late in being delivered. As a result, your SLCC ID card will serve as a “flash” pass through Oct 31, 2008. You may begin picking up your new Ed Pass cards beginning Sept 15, 2008. All students/faculty/staff will be required to have a new Ed Pass card beginning Nov. 1 in order to ride UTA services.* Valid on UTA local buses and TRAX only.

University of Utah – Due to a delay in manufacturing, the U of U’s new Ed Pass cards were late in being delivered. As a result, your U of U ID card will serve as a “flash” pass through Oct 31, 2008. You may begin picking up your new Ed Pass cards beginning Sept 15, 2008. All students/faculty/staff will be required to have a new Ed Pass card beginning Nov. 1 in order to ride UTA services.* Valid on all UTA buses, TRAX and FrontRunner.

Utah Valley University – Your UVU card is both a school ID and a UTA Ed Pass combined in one card. Show your UVU ID card when boarding or upon request by a transit police officer. It will also function as an electronic fare card beginning in December 2008. Valid on all UTA buses, TRAX and FrontRunner.

Weber State University* – Your new Ed Pass will serve as a “flash” pass until December 2008 and as an electronic fare card for as long as you are enrolled at or employed by Weber State University. Valid on all UTA buses, TRAX and FrontRunner.

Westminster College – Sign the Westminster pledge to take alternative transportation to school four or more times per month and your Westminster ID card will be activated to ride UTA bus, TRAX, and Frontrunner for free. Your ID will serve as a “flash” pass until December 2008 and as an electronic fare card for as long as you are enrolled at or employed by Westminster College.

Other Participating Schools* – Your new Ed Pass will serve as a “flash” pass until December 2008 and as an electronic fare card for as long as you are enrolled at or employed by your school. Valid on all UTA buses, TRAX and FrontRunner. If you are unsure if your school participates in this program, contact UTA as noted below.

*For schools using the Ed Pass card as a separate card from their school ID, you will be required to show your regular school ID to the operator or transit police officer upon request.

For More Information

More information will be posted on this page as the electronic fare collection program is developed. For more information contact Gerry Carpenter at gcarpenter@rideuta.com or call (801) 287-2070.

To read about the "contactless" fare pilot program, click here.