Acquisition of validators for various payment methods (Phase 1)

pre-construction

The project includes the acquisition and installation of approximately 140 new validators compatible with credit card and QR code payment on board the Société de transport de Sherbrooke (STS) buses in order to improve the diversification of payment methods. The project is divided into three phases. Phase 1 consists of acquiring the technological equipment to support payment by smart card (MiFare/Desfire) as currently used on STS urban buses, payment by credit card, as well as payment by QR code (two-dimensional bar code). This first phase will allow the equipment to be programmed so that it is fully functional with the ticketing system currently installed in the buses. This equipment will be installed at the front door of the city buses and the current ticketing equipment will be relocated to the rear door. The buses will therefore be equipped with a fare collection system at both doors. Phases 2 and 3 will include programming the functionalities of payment by credit card and by QR code on equipment installed in phase 1 of the project. Subsequent phases are planned for 2024-25. The installation of this technology on STS buses is intended to improve the quality of the current transit system by allowing the transit authority to increase the speed of payment at bus entrances, expand the transit authority’s casual customer base, provide more flexibility, and reduce the costs associated with cash management.