Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Launches Account-Based Ticketing, Powered by Masabi

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) and Masabi, the global leader in enterprise-grade SaaS fare collection for public transit, today launched Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) across GCRTA's bus, rail and BRT networks. Riders can now tap and ride using the Transit app, the EZfare app, or new GCRTA Smartcards, with fare capping ensuring they always pay the lowest possible fare. 

GCRTA is part of EZfare, the United States' largest regional fare payment system, which connects 20 transit agencies across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. With ABT now live on GCRTA, riders using the EZfare Tap & Ride QR code can use a single account to travel across EZfare agencies that have already rolled out ABT, making regional travel simpler and more seamless than ever. 

With ABT, riders no longer need to purchase tickets or handle cash at the farebox. Funds can be loaded onto an account online, via the app or at transit centres, and fares are automatically deducted each time a rider taps their Smartcard or scans the Tap & Ride barcode in the app when boarding. This speeds up the boarding process and delivers a faster, more convenient experience for every rider. For GCRTA riders, daily, weekly and monthly fare capping means spending is automatically capped at $5.00 per day, $25.00 per week, and $95.00 per month for full fare riders, with caps resetting automatically. To participate, under the plan, customers need to create a GCRTA account, which would keep track of the number of rides and handle payments. 

Riders who prefer to pay with cash can load funds onto their account at participating VanillaDirect retail locations or at GCRTA’s Tower City Station Customer Service Center, ensuring they have access to the same fare capping benefits as all other riders. This ensures the system is equitable and accessible for everyone on the network, regardless of how they choose to pay. 

The GCRTA Smartcard offers riders a durable, reloadable physical card option that does not expire. If a registered card is lost, the balance can be recovered and transferred to a new card. Riders who prefer a mobile option can manage their account and pay through the Transit app or the EZfare app. 

For GCRTA, the shift to ABT delivers meaningful operational benefits. By reducing reliance on cash fare collection, the agency can lower the administrative burden associated with cash handling, allowing it to streamline operations across its network. 

“We’re making life more affordable for people who rely on transit,” said Joshua Miranda, GCRTA Director of Management Information Services. “No more deciding whether you can afford a monthly pass upfront and no more overpaying if you don’t ride enough to make a pass worth it.”

"GCRTA is one of the largest transit systems in the EZfare network, and the launch of ABT is a major milestone for riders across Cleveland and the wider region," said Brian Zanghi, CEO of Masabi. "EZfare continues to set the standard for what a regional fare system can achieve in the US, and with GCRTA rolling out ABT, riders across the Midwest will have access to a seamless, connected transit experience."