Centro is debuting a mobile app that will allow some bus riders to buy tickets on their phones. It’s a limited, test pilot program that could lead to a larger rollout.
The app is only good for shuttle service from the downtown Syracuse Transit Hub to Lakeview Amphitheater shows and Syracuse University football games. Centro may extend that to SU basketball games, as well. Steven Koegel, vice president of communications and business planning for Centro, said customers will be able to download an app, buy tickets on their phone, show it to the driver and board the bus.
“It really makes it a simpler process for people who want to use this service," Koegel said. "Buy your tickets at any time. You don’t need to be physically here at the facility to buy your tickets for the shuttle.”
To download the Token Transit app, text the word “token” to 41411. Customers can sign up and buy a ticket, which will appear as mobile gif, or moving photograph to show to the driver.
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The app won’t be available for customers going to the New York State Fair, but Koegel said it could be next year.
“We wanted to get a small sample size to make sure that it worked properly and people are going to use it," Koegel said. "The state fair is a ginormous operation. We wouldn’t want to roll it out unless it was properly vetted.”
Ticket prices on the app for the shuttle service will remain the same as a physical ticket; $2 for adults, half price for seniors, kids and people with disabilities.
