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Transit Windsor will introduce a new fare structure this summer.

Everyone will pay the same cash fare to ride Transit Windsor buses, and new fare boxes will be introduced, said Tony Houad, a director at the bus company.

Seniors and students will no longer get a discount on bus fares when they pay cash - everyone will pay $2.50, and a one-way tunnel bus fare goes to $4.

But General Manager Penny Williams points out there will be some new options that will benefit riders, including day and family passes. And transfers will allow people to get on and off the bus using one fare, for up to two hours.

"As long as you're within that two-hour parameter you'll be able to get on any bus," said Williams. "There are options available that you can still get the discounts. It's just that the one cash fare is going to be implemented, and we're still rewarding the more frequent riders."

Summer rollout

On May 16, five tunnel buses will start testing the new fare boxes. Once the bugs are worked out, the entire fleet of more than 100 buses will be outfitted over the summer.

"We wanted to make sure that we're not jumping the gun too quickly. We want to make sure that these fare boxes are working up to our specifications," Houad said.

The new fare boxes will use smart cards, allowing riders to load currency onto their cards, or check their balance when they get on the bus. The $3 million investment was a long time in the making, he said.

Officials believe the new structure will make riding the bus more appealing. A report to the Transit Windsor board of directors states that "other communities experienced ridership increases when they implemented initiatives, such as day passes, family passes and open window transfers."

Transit Windsor will spend $75,000 on marketing the new fare boxes and changes to the fare structure.