The Utah Transit Authority scheduled a period of zero fare service from September 18 through September 20 to facilitate a systemwide fare collection upgrade. According to a notice from UTA, the agency will temporarily suspend fare collection during this time to modernize its fare collection software and hardware.
The upgrades are intended to provide riders with a faster and more flexible payment experience. According to the agency, these improvements are designed to create a foundation for additional payment options and new rider benefits.
Future enhancements related to the upgrades include the ability for riders to sync and manage UTA accounts online and at ticket vending machines. The agency also noted that future updates may enable the acceptance of credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets on smartphones and wearable devices as direct payment methods.
The modernization project includes several planned benefits for riders, such as fare capping for FAREPAY Card users and more secure account management to protect balances if a card is lost or stolen. UTA stated that it will use its website and social media to announce specific hardware upgrades and fare processes as they occur.
