BC Transit upgrading payment system in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek 

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A new way to pay for public transportation is coming to Fort St. John and Dawson Creek in a few weeks, according to BC Transit.

Buses in the two communities are being upgraded to support a new payment platform called “Umo,” allowing users to pay their fees with a mobile app or a refillable card.

“Validator” machines will be installed inside the buses, allowing users to tap their card or scan a QR code to pay and board once a green check mark appears on the machine, indicating that they’ve paid their fare.

Cards will be available at BC Transit vendors for free once the Umo system arrives in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek.

The company hasn’t announced a firm date for when the platform will launch in the two cities, but it has scheduled five information sessions for residents who want to learn more.

In Fort St. John, two sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, April 24th. The first will be held at Northern Lights College from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the second will be held at the Fort St. John Public Library from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, in Dawson Creek, two info sessions are happening on Thursday, April 25th—one at the city’s Northern Lights College campus from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and another at the Dawson Creek Mall from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

A final session is scheduled for Friday, April 26th, at the Dawson Creek Co-Op Mall from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Residents can find more information on Umo here.