Service Alerts
BCTA has a new way to buy bus tickets using a mobile device. Click on the App Store or Google play to download BCTA Mobile Ticket app! Be sure to read the Mobile Ticketing Terms and Conditions before you download the app. See Below!
Its easy to buy bus tickets with BCTA Mobile app. Just follow the step-by-step guide. Making tickets fast and convience anytime.
No — you can still use cash, and you can continue buying your fare the way you’re used to. But the BCTA Mobile Ticket application is quick and easy. It saves you time and you will never have to worry about losing your ticket. So no, you don’t have to use the application, but we think you’ll want to!
You can use mobile tickets on all BCTA fixed-routes: Please verify full fare policies in advance of travel. https://bcta.com/fares/
You can purchase Single Ride Tickets, Reduced Fare Single Ride Tickets, 7 Day Tickets, 10+1 Tickets and 31 Day Tickets for all three BCTA Zones, (In County, Out of County and Express) as well as In County Day Passes. Please see our website for more information on Fares. https://bcta.com/fares/
You should only activate your ticket when boarding a fixed-route bus. Please have the mobile ticket activated and ready to show to your driver when boarding a vehicle. Do not activate prior to the arrival of your bus, as tickets are only active for the length of your trip. Your purchased tickets can be found in your BCTA Mobile Ticket Wallet on the main screen on the BCTA Mobile Ticket application.
Yes, as long as your ticket is active. Single ride tickets are valid for 30 minutes after activation. You can check the end time of an already activated ticket by pressing the “Ticket Info” button on the ticket.
Please use the pull-down to reveal the barcode and your mobile ticket against the bus scanner. An audible beep will announce that your ticket is valid for use.
Tickets are read by the mobile ticket scanner on the front of the bus. In addition, mobile tickets can be validated by using visual inspection via checking the color actively changing on the ticket screen.
Each ticket has a variety of features and information in addition to the tri-color ticket that will occasionally be requested by BCTA officials as part of an inspection process. Please use the pull-down menu to reveal the barcode for inspection, if requested.
No, although BCTA encourages you to set up an account to more easily track your tickets and transfer to a new device if necessary.
Mobile tickets do not need cell phone or Wi-Fi services to be displayed for accessing a transit vehicle. You do need connectivity, however, to purchase a ticket which must be done prior to boarding. If you lose cell phone service after activating and boarding the vehicle you will be able to activate and display the ticket from the ticket wallet.
You are held responsible for having a mobile phone in good working order and usable prior to boarding. If your mobile phone is inoperable it is expected that you would use some other payment method for the journey.
Yes. For group travel, please purchase the necessary number of tickets. You may activate multiple tickets one at a time in your mobile application.
If you lose or purchase a new device you can transfer any valid, unused tickets to a new device if you have purchased the tickets using a registered account. To transfer your unused tickets and account to a new device, download the mobile ticketing application on your new device and log in. You will be prompted to confirm you wish to transfer your account to this new device. Please note, accounts can only be transferred between devices three times in six months
Receipts are available through email for all mobile tickets. You can also email old receipt copies through your Ticket History section in the mobile application.
BCTA has a no-refund policy. Please review the service maps and schedules prior to purchasing your ticket.
The mobile ticketing application is free to download. You may incur data usage fees via your mobile service provider for use of the application. The BCTA is not responsible for any mobile carrier data charges that a customer incurs as a result of purchasing or using the mobile ticketing application.
The mobile ticketing application is available on the majority of Apple iOS or Google Android devices installed with recent (2 years or less) operating systems. Older versions of software may not be supported.
The Mobile Ticketing platform is fully certified and compliant with Payment Card Industry standards (PCI-DSS). All payment communications are fully encrypted via SSL, and any sensitive data stored is highly encrypted and systems are constantly monitored for security vulnerabilities.
No, you can also use prepaid MasterCard and Visa Cards.
The most common reason a transaction is declined is because the billing address provided to the BCTA Mobile Ticketing application doesn't match what your bank or credit card company has on file. The transaction may be pending and not actually deducted from your account. How long a pending charge remains on your account is determined by your bank, and we're unable to reverse pending transactions. Here's what to do next: Make sure the billing address you provided on the BCTA Mobile Ticketing application matches what your bank or credit card company has on file. You may also want to contact your bank or credit card company to make sure your billing address for your account is correct. Then try loading money on your card.
Tap every time you board a BCTA fixed-route bus, including when you transfer. You won’t necessarily be charged every time you tap, but it validates your fare and serves as your proof of payment. Unlike some other transit systems, you don’t need to “tap off” when you exit. To pay, just hold your phone near the scanner. Make sure it’s positioned over the contactless payment logo in the black area below the scanner screen, with the top of your phone facing the reader. Within a second, you’ll see a checkmark on your phone and the scanner will show a checkmark and play a chime indicating that your payment was successful. You’re good to go! Just remember to tap every time you board, including transfers. Keep your phone handy in case an inspector asks to see your fare.
Welcome! No, but if you’re going to be in town for a while and you expect to ride frequently, you may want to get the BCTA Mobile Ticketing application. Otherwise, you can simply tap your phone with a mobile wallet on scanner as you board. Enjoy your visit!
