Cincy EZRide Mobile Ticket App Frequently Asked Questions General questions What is Cincy EZRide? Cincy EZRide is Metro s name for a program developed by a company called Passport, a national leader in mobile payment technology. It s a state-of-the-art application that lets you purchase tickets and passes for Metro and the Cincinnati Bell Connector on your smart phone or tablet. What are the benefits of using Cincy EZRide? No need to use paper tickets No need to carry cash or exact change or find a ticket machine Free to download no service fee Store tickets on your phone for future use Pay a single fare or multiple fares for a group of riders Buy tickets on your phone No standing in line at the sales office or buying tickets at a vending machine Does it cost to use Cincy EZRide? No, the app is free to download and use. The only cost is what you pay for your tickets or passes. No service or handling fee is added to the cost of the tickets or passes. Do you have to have a smart phone to use Cincy EZRide? Yes, you must have a phone or tablet that can access the internet so your ticket can be activated. How does Cincy EZRide work? Just open the app and follow these five simple steps: 1. Choose the rider type: a. Metro 1-ride (available for each zone) b. Metro 1-ride with transfer (available for each zone) c. Metro day pass (available for zones 1 and 2) d. Metro 30-day rolling pass (available for each zone) e. Cincinnati Bell Connector 2. Choose your Metro zone or Cincinnati Bell Connector pass type 3. Choose your quantity: you may buy multiple tickets for later use 4. Check out: pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express 5. When boarding, show your activated ticket to the Metro bus operator or Cincinnati Bell Connector fare inspector upon request. For verification purposes, the bus operator or fare inspector may ask you to tap the active ticket to display the dynamic QR barcode that shows it is a valid ticket.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when using Cincy EZRide: Create an account before purchasing tickets Tickets cannot be purchased without an account Watch your battery level Just like with paper tickets, you re responsible for making sure you have a valid fare at all times. Remember to keep your phone charged! Activate your ticket before boarding All sales are final with no refunds given Getting the app How do I download the app to get started? Go to either the App Store (for iphone) or Google Play (for Android) and search for Cincy EZRide. Follow the instructions for your phone. Or you can go to go-metro.com and follow the instructions there. Which phones and operating systems are supported? You can download the Cincy EZRide app on iphones running an operating system of ios 8.1 and above and Android phones running an operating system of 4.2.2 and above. When I open the app it asks for my location and access to my photos, media and files on my device why? You should grant permission for this access. There are several reasons Cincy EZRide needs this information to make your user experience more satisfying: Allow Cincy EZRide to access your location so it can offer specific route options when planning your trip. Allow Cincy EZRide to access photos and media on your device so it scan in your credit card details rather than entering the credit card details manually. This will be the only time that the Photos and Media are accessed. Allow Cincy EZRide to access files on your device so it can troubleshoot any problems you may have. What if the app is unresponsive? DON T uninstall your app! Try logging out of the app and logging back in, and then try powering your phone off and then back on. If you continue to experience technical difficulties, contact Customer Service at 513-632-7575 or customerservice@go-metro.com. If my employer subsidizes part of my transit cost, can I still use the app? You may be able to receive reimbursement by providing your employer with a receipt of your ticket purchase, but you should check with your employer first. Additionally, if you
have a transit benefit card with the Visa/MasterCard logo, you can use it to purchase tickets with the app. Please check with your employer for details on what options are available for you. Employer-provided annual passes for Rt. 85 are not supported by Cincy EZRide at this time. What if I get a new phone? Can I transfer my tickets? Yes. Download the app on your new phone, then contact Customer Service at 513-632-7575 or customerservice@go-metro.com for assistance in transferring unused tickets. What if my phone is lost or stolen? Contact Customer Service at 513-632-7575 or customerservice@go-metro.com immediately to freeze any unused tickets. Download the app on your new phone, then contact Customer Service for assistance transferring unused tickets. What if my battery dies? You are responsible for showing proof of valid fare to Metro and Cincinnati Bell Connector operators, fare inspectors or other authorized personnel. If you are unable to display the ticket on your mobile device, it is not valid. Your account How do I set up my account? There are two ways to create an account: After you first launch the app, you ll see a prompt to create an account. Or when you make a purchase you will be prompted to create an account. For additional assistance, navigate to the Help tab in the app, tap Help and there are instructions to guide you in creating an account. What is the difference between creating an account and signing in? You should use Create an account if you don t have an existing account or want to create a new one. Use Sign in if you want to use an existing account. I heard I get a free ride when I sign up. How does that work? For a limited time, Cincy EZRide customers will be able to download one free 1-ride ticket on the mobile ticketing app. Download the free 1-ride ticket the same way as a regular 1-ride ticket. This ticket is valid for 1 free ride on Metro in any zone with no additional fare needed. NOT valid on TANK or the Cincinnati Bell Connector. Once activated, the 1-free ride ticket will expire in 5 minutes. There is a limit of one free ride ticket per customer. You must show an active 1-free ride ticket to operator for your free ride. You may purchase a transfer for $0.50 with your 1-free ride ticket.
Promotional free 1-ride tickets are available until Oct. 15, 2016 and must be used by Oct. 31, 2016. Payment Do I need a credit card to use the app? Yes, you must have a valid credit or debit card to purchase tickets or passes using Cincy EZRide. Which credit cards do you accept? We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Do you accept reloadable debit cards? Yes, but you may need to verify the billing zip code with the financial institution that issued the reloadable debit card. How do I add a debit/credit card to my account? Adding a debit/credit card can only be done while making a purchase. Log into your account in the app to make a new purchase and an Add New Card prompt will display. Can I store more than one card? Yes. You can add another card while making a purchase and tapping the Add New Card button when prompted for payment options. You can store up to six credit cards on your account. Where is my personal information and credit card information stored? All personal and credit card information is stored as tokenized data on a securely encrypted Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)-compliant server. No account information is stored within the application. How quickly is the payment processed? Once the payment is authorized, the payment is processed immediately and a receipt will be emailed to you. What if my credit/debit card is declined? First, confirm you have the correct bank card details registered in the app exactly as they appear on your card and billing statement, such as billing address, zip code and three-digit security code on the back. Other common errors include entering a period (.) after the middle initial, including the apartment number in the Address Line 1 field, and incorrect billing address. If everything is correct, contact your bank for further information. Is Cincy EZRide secure? Passport, who supports the EZ Ride Cincy application, is the leading provider of mobile payment technology for public transportation and parking cities across North America,
supporting over 250 agencies and securely processing more than 100,000 transactions each day. That s why security is the number one concern of everyone at Passport. Passport maintains PCI-DSS Version 3.1 compliance, the highest possible level. No sensitive information is stored or transferred on the Passport database. All credit card information is stored in an isolated card storage database, separated from personal information like name or email address. That data is further encrypted and tokenized to reduce the risk of credit card fraud in the event of a breach. Finally, Passport uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) to securely transfer sensitive data between the application and servers. This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain secure. Purchasing fares Will I have to create an account to purchase a ticket? Yes. It is necessary to have an account to purchase tickets. The City of Cincinnati also uses the Passport program for its Cincy EZ Park parking app. If you already have a mobile account with Cincy EZ Park, your credit card and other information will automatically be available to the Cincy EZRide app during the registration process if you use the same phone number. Note: several other U.S. cities also use the Passport program so make sure you are in the Cincy EZRide app before purchasing tickets or passes or using the trip-planning feature. Can I purchase more than one ticket at a time? Yes, you can purchase more than one ticket at a time. Do I need a wireless connection to buy tickets or use tickets? You will need a network data connection or wireless connection to purchase tickets. You will not need a network data connection or wireless connection to activate a pending ticket. Can I purchase a 30-day rolling pass with the app? The app offers a 30-day rolling pass, which does not lock you into a calendar month, and provides the flexibility to purchase and use the pass at any time during the month. Note: You may use Zone 1, Zone 2 and Cincinnati Bell Connector passes to ride anywhere Metro goes. Using these passes in higher zones will require a cash drop in the farebox to pay the zone fare. 30-day passes for Harrison, Zone 4, Clermont or Zone 5 may only be used in those zones or lower. This is due to the technical limitations of Metro s fareboxes. Can I purchase a Metro/TANK (M/T) 30-day rolling pass using Cincy EZRide?
Yes. TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) has agreed to accept the M/T 30- day rolling pass mobile ticket. Can I purchase Rt. 72 1-ride tickets using the app? Yes, you may purchase 1-ride tickets for Rt. 72 for $2.25 when that service is operating, usually between June and October each year. Once that service is no longer offered, the ticket will not be valid. For example, this year that service ends Oct. 30, so any Rt. 72 1-ride tickets you have stored on your device must be used by that date or they will expire. No refunds will be given. Can I purchase half-fares or a Fare Deal sticker using the app? Not at this time. We plan to add Fare Deal and possibly other fare options when we implement Phase 2. Can I set up automatic purchases? No, you will have to purchase tickets or passes every time you need them. However, you may purchase multiple tickets at one time for future use. Activating your tickets When should I activate my tickets? You can activate your ticket when you see your bus or Cincinnati Bell Connector approaching. Your ticket must be activated before boarding a vehicle. Metro 1-ride tickets expire five minutes after activation. Can I get a refund if I lose my device or purchase the wrong ticket? No, all tickets are non-refundable. If you lose your mobile device, notify Customer Service to transfer unused tickets to your new mobile device. Does a mobile ticket expire? Yes, a mobile ticket can expire. Each ticket has a clear date and countdown timer to let you know it is still valid and when it will expire. Once the ticket or pass expires it moves into your Rider History. What if the ticket expires before I can use it? If your activated ticket expires before you can use it, you will need to purchase another ticket for your trip. That s why you should wait until you see your bus or Cincinnati Bell Connector approaching to activate your ticket. Can I use multiple tickets at the same time for myself and my family or friends? Yes, you may activate as many tickets as you want at a given time in order to pay the fares for others traveling with you.
Showing your fare Where can I use mobile tickets? You may use mobile tickets on all Metro buses and the Cincinnati Bell Connector when it begins operation in September, and you may use the M/T 30-day rolling pass on TANK buses. How do I show the QR bar code if I m asked to do so? Tap the text box in the middle of the active ticket to switch to the QR bar code. Tapping the QR bar code returns the screen to the active ticket. Will a bus operator or fare inspector show me how to use the app? Bus operators and other personnel are instructed not to touch a customer s device. Please use the Help feature in the app for instructions on how to use. Can I see how much time is left on the active ticket before it expires? Yes, the expiration date and time is displayed on the top of your ticket. Once your ticket expires, it will be grayed out and the word Expired will display, then the ticket will disappear. Once your ticket expires, you may remain on the vehicle to complete your trip, but you may not board another vehicle until you buy or activate another ticket. What if my ticket expires while I m riding the Cincinnati Bell Connector? You must have a valid ticket to be on the platform or riding the Cincinnati Bell Connector. If you do not have a valid ticket, per city ordinance you could be subject to fines starting at $100. The ticket takes a long time to display, what can I do? Don t uninstall your app! Some devices with older operating systems do not work as fast as newer phones. If you have an older phone that works a little slower, please be sure to give yourself plenty of time to activate the ticket before your vehicle arrives. You should also check to make sure you don t have too many applications open at one time, which can also affect the responsiveness of the app. What if my screen is unreadable? If your ticket cannot be read or displayed, it is not valid. Planning your trip Does Cincy EZRide provide real-time arrival information? The real-time tracking feature of Cincy EZRide is coming soon. In the meantime, customers may continue to use Transit App and Bus Detective for real-time information. Can I use the app to plan my trip? Yes, Cincy EZRide has features that let you enter starting and ending destinations and get trip information, then track the vehicle in real-time as it approaches your location.
Note: several other U.S. cities also use the Passport program so make sure you are in the Cincy EZRide app before purchasing tickets or passes or using the trip-planning feature. How does the Cincy EZRide application know my current location? Cincy EZRide uses the GPS location feature on your smart phone or table. You must allow it to access that feature for the real-time information to function. Can I use the app as a trip-planner only without buying mobile tickets? Yes, you do not have to buy mobile tickets to use the trip-planning and real-time bus tracking features of the app. Where can I get more information? Visit www.go-metro.com for more information or click the Help tab in the app.