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Edmonton finally confirmed this week a preferred supplier for its five-year effort to go paperless on Edmonton Transit fares and that’s giving residents a peek at some unexpected benefits.

Vix Technology and its account-based system won’t just make boarding the bus and reloading a transit card easier. According to transit officials, it could also address a persistent inequality issue in Edmonton – fixing this with a simple, technology based solution: “fare capping.”

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People with steady jobs and good paycheques are the most likely to buy a monthly pass. They have cash on hand at the beginning of the month.

Those who might need their last nickel just to keep the lights on are the most likely to pay cash for every trip. It means they pay $3.25 per ride, more money for the same service.

That’s one reason Ken Koropeski is excited about Smart Fare.

With a card and an online account, the system can track how many times a person uses transit during a 30-day period, said Koropeski, director of special projects for Edmonton Transit. No one would have to commit to a monthly pass on Day 1. Instead, the system could automatically track useand once the rider hits that monthly maximum, all other rides are free.

“When you have capping, it has inherent benefits for people with low income,” said Koropeski.

Ultimately, council will decide if it accepts fare capping as a policy, he said, but smart fare makes it feasible. “It’s certainly high on our minds as a possibility.”

Smart Fare gives many options

The system will also allow riders to buy a single fare with the tap of a credit or debit card as they get on the bus or enter a transit station. A transit card will give riders access to discounts, with an account that can be topped up online or in retail stores. Lost cards can be canceled and refunded.

Transit officials are also looking at unlimited weekly pricing. Eventually, they could also offer discounts for short rides with a zone system.