Muni riders can skip the farebox and buy single-use rides directly from their iOS or Android phones.
Muni riders can now purchase single-ride fares without the hassle of searching for change or losing that paper transfer.
As of last Thursday, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has made available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store its free MuniMobile app, which allows Muni riders (adult, seniors/disabled, youth and paratransit) to purchase single-ride fares and cable car fares. One-day, three-day and seven-day passports can also be purchased.
Riders can purchase fares on their smartphones by connecting a credit card or Paypal account to the app. Once purchased, tickets will be stored until riders activate them for use.
For example, riders will not need to activate their fare ticket until a bus arrives or upon entering a Muni Metro station. Riders will have to show the agent the activated ticket on their smartphone. On buses, riders can still board the back of the bus with an activated fare ticket, but can still enter the front and show it to the driver, the transit agency said.
Just like a transfer, riders who purchase a single-ride fare will have 90 minutes to use the fare ticket before it expires.
App users will not be able to purchase monthly Fast Passes or connect a Clipper card account.
Last month, some Muni riders were able to test the app including Twitter user @AgentAkit, who gave his early impression of the app.
The app will also include a feature that will allow riders to send feedback on their Muni ride later next year, said SFMTA spokesman Paul Rose.
MuniMobile was developed by Portland, Ore.-based GlobeSherpa for $95,000.
Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.
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