Standard adult transit riders can now load, tap and go with Arc

News release shared by The City of Edmonton:

The City of Edmonton and its six regional transit partners have marked an exciting milestone with Arc, the Edmonton region’s fare payment system. Standard adult riders can now use Arc cards to tap on and off transit buses and LRT across the region, including Beaumont, St. Albert, Spruce Grove and Strathcona County. Leduc and Fort Saskatchewan will offer Arc to riders in 2023. 

To commemorate the occasion, Mayor Sohi and representatives from the neighbouring municipalities joined standard adult riders in using Arc for the first time at the West Clareview Transit Centre in Edmonton.

“We’re very excited to celebrate this significant milestone for transit riders, the City of Edmonton and our regional partners,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “Arc makes transit more accessible, equitable and convenient for transit riders and will help offer them a seamless regional travel experience.”

"Arc’s technology provides a user-friendly and streamlined approach for riders to access transit throughout our region,” said Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank. “This is an example of successful regional collaboration with our municipal partners to provide the best possible transit experience for riders, today and into the future.”

“The City of St. Albert is committed to regional solutions that make sense for all residents,” said St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron. “The Arc fare payment system will enable riders to more easily pay for the regional trips they make on public transit.”  

The Arc system enables riders to pay for transit when and how they use it. With Arc, riders can: 

• Conveniently tap on and off buses and LRT without needing to carry exact change or paper tickets and passes.
• Sign up, check their balance and add money to their Arc accounts anytime, anywhere, including online, by phone or on site at transit centres.
• Load as little as $4 - or as much as they need - to their Arc accounts.
• Pay for transit using credit, debit or cash.
• Avoid paying upfront for a monthly pass, while also experiencing the best fare possible through regional price caps. Price capping ensures that once riders reach a daily or monthly maximum amount, they can use transit for the rest of the day or month for free. 

While supplies last, staff and outreach teams from the participating transit agencies will be handing out complimentary Arc cards to riders at various transit centres and LRT stations across the Edmonton region. 

Arc cards are also available for purchase online, by phone at 1-888-302-0001, at transit centres and LRT stations through Arc fare vending machines and at select retailers. For a list of participating Arc retailers, visit myArc.ca. 

The standard adult fare group represents general ridership with no eligibility requirements or discounted fare prices. Arc will roll out to discounted fare groups - including seniors, youth and individuals experiencing low income - and riders who use paratransit services in 2023. The phased approach is a way to ensure all transit riders in other fare groups get the proper support they need to feel comfortable and confident using Arc, and to secure equipment for the paratransit vehicles. 

For more information:
myArc.ca

Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595