Montreal residents with Android smartphones can now conveniently access a digital version of the OPUS card, as announced by the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) on Tuesday.
After successful testing involving around 20,000 users, ARTM has made the digital OPUS card accessible to the general public. Users can buy and validate tickets through the Chrono app, which is the same platform used for reloading physical OPUS cards.
Sylvain Perras, the Executive Director of Digital Transformation, expressed, “Your OPUS card can now be on your Android phone. This additional feature aims to simplify the user experience and align it with modern habits.” The solution underwent extensive development and testing with thousands of users, resulting in positive feedback highlighting its simplicity, reliability, and user-friendliness.
It’s important to note that the device must be relatively new for this feature to function properly, authorities cautioned. Mobile phones can store multiple virtual “cards,” allowing users to select the one with the transit fare for their specific journey.
While iPhone users will need to wait, as the iOS version of the app is still undergoing testing, ARTM has not specified the timeline for its release.
Moreover, ARTM plans to continue exploring direct payment options using a bank card, enabling public transportation users to pay without the need for a physical ticket or OPUS card, whether digital or traditional. Nevertheless, physical cards will still be available for those who prefer them.
The comprehensive Concerto project, encompassing these innovations, entails a significant investment of nearly $150 million in public funding.
