In 2018, the City of Grande Prairie selected Payment in Motion to design and deploy a contactless smart card-based fare system, complete with new onboard hardware. The project, initially scoped for 21 conventional buses, rapidly expanded as PIM’s solution proved highly adaptable. Three additional vehicles—including a regional bus—were added during the project timeline, requiring dynamic features like Fare by Route, which PIM incorporated without delay. This feature allows for fare calculation based on the specific route, ensuring fair and accurate pricing for riders.

PIM’s fare system launched in September 2018, just seven months after the contract was signed—a rapid timeline that highlights PIM’s agility and reliability. The system has since expanded to 31 vehicles, with select buses equipped with portable smart card readers to serve less conventional routes or flexible service models.

Grande Prairie’s fare platform is designed with the rider in mind, offering support for reloadable and disposable smart cards, while still retaining coin acceptance for legacy fare payment. This flexibility ensures that riders can choose the payment method that best suits their needs, while benefiting from a familiar experience with faster boarding and improved fare control. Additionally, the system supports Auto Load, a feature that automatically tops up the card balance as part of the onboard validator interaction, further streamlining the rider experience and reducing the need for external top-up stations.

One of the key advantages of PIM’s system is its adaptability for future growth. As Grande Prairie expands or changes its transit offerings, the system can easily accommodate new vehicles, service zones, and fare policies without expensive overhauls. This modularity ensures that the system remains viable and cost-effective, even as the city’s transit needs evolve.

Whether supporting a city-wide network or smaller regional services, Payment in Motion builds its smart card solutions for growth, affordability, and ease of use for both transit agencies and their riders.