Winnipeg Transit riders forced to wait for new smart-card system

The future is coming to Winnipeg Transit, but not until 2016.

A report delivered to the city's finance committee Thursday outlines the status of the promised smart-card fare system. It says problems discovered during "comprehensive fieldtesting" has delayed implementationof the new cards.

• Winnipeg Transit smart cards implemented within a year
• New fare boxes going into Winnipeg Transit buses

Winnipeg Transit tried out the new payment system in June, with 100,000 transactions on more than 340 buses. A number of problems were identifiedby thetransit agency.

"Rework activities are expected to continue over the summer and furtherfield testing is expected to occur in fall," the city report states."Smart cards are expected to be introduced to the public in early 2016."

Bus riders were originally promised the new system would rolloutsometimein 2013 or 2014.

Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver andMinneapolishave all adopted electronic payment systemsfor public transit. Riders in those cities tap a pre-loaded card on a reader to pay their fare.

The total approved budget for the new multi-phase smart-card system in Winnipeg is $17.7 million. Despite thedelays, the project remains within budget, the report states.