Montreal residents who rely on public transit will soon have the option to ditch their plastic OPUS cards in favor of a digital upgrade, thanks to the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) moving forward with a revamp of the area’s fare collection system.
Currently, testing is in progress with a select group of 1,000 Android users, with plans to expand this trial to 4,000 individuals in the near future. Through the use of a virtual card accessible via the Chrono mobile app, passengers will be able to conveniently validate their fares by simply tapping their phones on buses, metro turnstiles, or REM gates. The complete rollout for the general public is anticipated to occur by 2026.
The development of the digital OPUS card began in autumn 2024 in collaboration with HID Global, a renowned company specializing in digital mobility solutions, similar to those implemented by Île-de-France Mobilités in Paris. Spirtech is responsible for designing the program that seamlessly integrates this technology into the Chrono app.
With this innovative feature, users will have the flexibility to store one or more OPUS cards on their mobile devices, reducing the reliance on physical cards and minimizing the risk of misplacing a traditional pass. This enhancement builds upon the existing capabilities of the Chrono app, which already enables commuters to load fares onto physical OPUS cards and plan their journeys efficiently.
The digital system is a key component of the broader ARTM Concerto initiative, which encompasses a substantial $146-million contract awarded to Masabi, a company based in the United Kingdom, aimed at modernizing the ticketing infrastructure. Furthermore, the introduction of credit card tap payments utilizing Visa and Mastercard, with subsequent testing for debit cards, is slated to commence in 2026.
While specific launch dates for the final iteration of the virtual OPUS card have not been disclosed, iPhone users can look forward to compatibility being integrated at a later stage.
