Flowbird will supply the contactless payment terminals and the operating system to STL, and will team up with Moneris to coordinate the transactions.

The Société de transport de Laval (STL) has unveiled the new group of partners that will look after the rollout of a new scalable payment solution on all STL buses in 2021, constituting a first in Québec, Canada.

Flowbird will supply the contactless payment terminals and the operating system, and will team up with Canada’s Moneris to coordinate the transactions. The project is supported and funded by the ARTM regional metropolitan transit authority, and will make it possible to outfit the entire fleet of STL buses with the system as early as summer 2021, if everything unfolds as planned.

“We are extremely proud of the team we have assembled for this ambitious project focused on modernizing public transit payment systems across the province,” said Éric Morasse, STL Board president. “Contactless payments foster impulse decisions to take the bus and instantly offset some of the main obstacles to using the bus, especially when transiting from different transport modes: How much does it cost? Where can I buy a bus ticket? More than ever, given the current situation, we need to do our utmost to keep public transit top-of-mind with Laval commuters.”

This initiative follows in the footsteps of the pilot project, which is still underway after being launched as a Canadian first in April 2017, jointly with Mouvement Desjardins. As announced last year, Mouvement Desjardins is pulling out of the transit payment solutions market. The agreement between the STL and Mouvement Desjardins ends October 31, 2021, which should make for a transparent transition between the two systems for users.

Like the current system, the new payment solution will accept Visa and Mastercard payments, and will be compatible with most smartphone contactless payment applications. More modern and scalable than its predecessor, the new payment solution will include smart transit transfers and eventually be able to gradually include more features, including contactless debit card payments and more credit card types.

“Contactless bank cards have become the most popular means of paying for everyday purchases. Open Payment by Flowbird makes it possible to use your bank card as a bus pass. In Laval, occasional riders will no longer need to purchase a bus pass in advance or find a ticket vending machine,” said Bertrand Barthelemy, CEO, Flowbird. “These payment solutions greatly facilitate travel. And it’s all contactless, which users find reassuring during these pandemic times. Our solution is tried and proven and includes infinite possibilities to add new ticketing features in the next few years. Easy to use, fast and seamless are the hallmarks of our Open Payment solution.”