Starting in time for CES, Uber users can buy RTC passes and ride public transit in Southern Nevada via the Uber app
LAS VEGAS (January 6, 2020) – Today, Uber, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) and Masabi launched Uber Transit ticketing, enabling Las Vegas Valley riders to seamlessly buy and ride local transit – all from within the Uber app. Following a staggered rollout over the next few weeks, all Uber riders in the Las Vegas metro region will be able to buy RTC passes through the Uber app and then use their phone to ride.
Buying a transit pass in the Uber app is easy: After riders enter a destination, they will see “Transit” as an option in the Uber app. Upon selecting "Transit," riders will get all the information they need to get to their destination using public transportation including real-time transit data, trip-planning and end-to-end directions.
Once the rider has selected their route, they can choose to purchase and redeem their transit passes using their existing payment profile, and can use their transit passes even when they are offline. Uber’s menu bar will let users purchase and redeem a range of passes available on RTC services, including Strip and All Access passes, hourly, residential and monthly passes. Users activate passes, which are stored in the “Transit tickets” section of the Uber app, when boarding transit services and scan the passes on the onboard validation devices.
Purchasing transit passes via Uber will cost the same amount as through existing options. Transit ticketing has been enabled using Masabi’s Justride SDK, the first and only mobile ticketing software development kit (SDK) for public transportation, creating a seamless passenger experience combining transit and new mobility.
“Creating a seamless experience for our residents and visitors to move easily and conveniently among multiple modes of transportation is the future of public transit, and we’re proud to be one of the first agencies to embrace it,” said M.J. Maynard, CEO of the RTC. “Uber’s innovative thought leadership has completely transformed the transportation landscape by upending our traditional notions of public transit.”
“For the first time in Las Vegas, taking an Uber can mean taking public transit and just in time for CES,” said David Reich, Uber’s Head of Transit. “We are excited to expand our collaboration with RTC and Masabi to make Las Vegas the second city in the world where riders can purchase transit passes and ride public transit seamlessly through the Uber app. As we work together to make Uber part of the public transportation ecosystem we can make cities more accessible and work to make individual car ownership a thing of the past.”
“This launch is a huge step forward in helping people living and visiting Las Vegas to leave
their cars at home and ride public transit,” said Brian Zanghi, Chief Executive Officer at
Masabi. “By enabling access to public transit via Masabi’s Justride SDK in the Uber
application, we are assisting innovative agencies like RTC of Southern Nevada in connecting
transit with private mobility options. This means Uber users can now use the app to more
easily discover and use bus services.”
Masabi is bringing Fare Payments-as-a-Service (FPaaS) to public transit agencies of all sizes
around the globe. The company first launched ticketing services for RTC in 2016 with the
popular rideRTC app. The Justride SDK enables Uber to integrate mobile ticketing into its
application and therefore allow users to purchase and scan secure mobile passes on the
onboard validation units when boarding transit services.
This announcement follows the launch in May of Uber Transit ticketing in Denver. Transit ticketing in Denver continues to grow rapidly, with over 60 percent of local riders who have purchased a transit pass returning to purchase another within a month. Uber Transit journey planning is currently available in 15 cities globally, and allows riders to plan their transit trips with real-time information and end-to-end directions.
ABOUT MASABI
Masabi is bringing Fare Payments-as-a-Service to public transit agencies of all sizes around the globe, enabling them to receive the latest fare payment innovations quickly, using a platform which is constantly updating and adding new features. This not only improves the journey experience for passengers but helps agencies keep up with the pace of technology change, while reducing the total cost of fare collection. With over seventy agencies of all sizes across ten countries signed up, Masabi’s Justride is the world’s leading fare payments platform. Masabi has offices in New York, Denver, London and Cluj, and investors include Mastercard and Keolis. For more information, visit www.masabi.com.
ABOUT UBER
Uber’s platform is committed to igniting opportunity for the people we serve in Nevada. Ridesharing remains a stress free reliable option throughout the state. Uber Eats is currently available throughout Las Vegas and Reno areas. The Uber Rewards program – a first-of-its kind loyalty program that spans across Uber’s business lines and product offerings, including ridesharing and Uber Eats – is now available in select areas. Transportation agencies around the world can learn more about how to pursue their own transit partnerships with Uber at www.uber.com/transit.