Saskatoon Transit announced the launch of Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) in partnership with Masabi, the global leader in enterprise-grade SaaS fare collection for public transit.
With Account-Based Ticketing, riders no longer need to plan ahead or work out which ticket to buy. They can simply Tap & Ride, top up their TGo smart card or account, and check their balances whenever it suits them, through the updated Transit Go app or the refreshed web portal. The Transit Customer Service Centre and select retail locations across the city also remain available. Those who prefer to continue purchasing mobile ticket fare products or using cash fares can continue to do so, ensuring everyone can pay for travel in the way that works best for them.
While most standard fare products can be purchased online, select products, such as discounted fares that require eligibility verification or entitlement renewal, may still require an in-person visit.
Saskatoon Transit is also deploying Masabi’s Justride Inspect app to support fare compliance across the network. Inspect runs on the agency’s handheld devices, giving fare enforcement a fast and consistent way to verify fares while avoiding the cost and complexity of purchasing and maintaining a separate device fleet.
“These upgrades mark another important step toward making transit more convenient and accessible for the community,” said Michael Moellenbeck, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “By continuing to modernize how riders manage and pay their fares, we’re building a more flexible, customer-focused system that meets today’s needs and those of the future.”
“Modern fare collection should be something agencies can grow into at their own pace, adding capability as their riders’ needs change,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO at Masabi. “Saskatoon Transit started with mobile ticketing on the Justride platform in 2021 and has now expanded on a full account-based system using the same infrastructure. We are delighted to be supporting Saskatoon Transit as they take this next step.”
Today’s launch builds on Saskatoon Transit’s mobile ticketing rollout with Masabi in 2021, when the agency first introduced mobile fares alongside validators across its entire fixed route fleet. That mobile-first deployment created the digital foundation for account-based ticketing, allowing the agency to add capability as its riders’ needs have grown rather than replacing infrastructure already in place.
Saskatoon Transit serves nearly a million rides each month across the City of Saskatoon. With over 40 routes and more than 1,400 stops, the agency provides service across the city, offering safe and environmentally friendly transportation for residents travelling to work, education, healthcare, and community services.