November 02, 2016
Starting November 15, you’ll be able to buy a new type of bus pass at RTS Ticket Vending Machines (TVM) and myRTS.com/buy-passes. 
The aptly named Tap & Go! RTS Fast Pass is a fare card that lets you simply tap it on a fare box to pay. After the box beeps or says “Fare deducted,” you’re ready to find your seat and enjoy the ride with RTS. Your pass is activated with the very first tap.
Tap & Go! cards are available as 5-Day Unlimited (Regular and Reduced Fare), 31-Day Unlimited (Regular and Reduced Fare), and Stored Value Passes. You can check your pass’ balance or expiration date on any TVM machine by tapping the bulls-eye target.
Not only will Tap & Go! RTS Fast Passes make boarding easier, they should cut down on maintenance issues, too. Right now, we handle more than 800 damaged pass and fare box issues each year – sometimes as a result of customers accidentally swiping passes in the fare box trim instead of the pass reader, which can lead to machine jams. With the Tap & Go! card, fare box jams and damaged pass claims should drop, keeping more buses on the road, saving on maintenance costs, and keeping customers happier.
The Tap & Go! RTS Fast Pass also lays the ground work for future improved fare payment options. The information and experience we gain launching Tap & Go cards may lead to refillable bus passes, fare boxes that accept credit cards, mobile payment options on smart phones, Tap & Go smartphone app (no physical pass), and customer loyalty rewards. We’ve got big plans in store, and the Tap & Go! RTS Fast Pass is the first step on the road of technological improvement.
Questions? You can always reach us by speaking to a Customer Service Representative at the RTS Transit Center, calling 585-288-1700, or contacting us online at myRTS.com.
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