Seth Coburn | Aug 24, 2020 AT 6:03 pm

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Photo: Jake Judd (KNSI)

(KNSI) — Metro Bus of St. Cloud announced Monday that it is preparing for the installation of new fare boxes for all buses in its fleet, including Fixed Route, Dial-a-Ride, ConneX, and Northstar Link buses. The upgrade will bring new ways for passengers to pay their fare. CEO Ryan Daniel of Metro Bus told KNSI’s Bob Hughes about the advantages of the new system.

“Metro Bus is in the process of updating it’s technology, the farebox system will get a major upgrade.

We’re looking at a smart card, we’re looking at a mobile app where you can track your fixed route buses, in real time.

We’re looking at online payments, you can add a card or add value to your card online.”

In a press release, Metro Bus stated that the farebox transition would take place overnight, on a weekend late in 2020. When asked for a more definite timeline, Daniel stated that the date has not yet been determined and will be announced in the coming weeks.

“It’ll still be late this quarters, 2020. So we’re looking at right around the holiday season, Thanksgiving or Christmas.”

Service will not be interrupted for the upgrade.

Cash fares and Smart Ride Tickets for short-term use will still be available on all Metro Bus lines. In the expectation of the upgrades, Metro Bus us encouraging current riders to use up Metro Bus tokens, 31-Day Passes, 7-Day Passes, 1-Day Passes, and Change cards, which will no longer be available or accepted after the transition. For more information on the new fareboxes, please had to the Metro Bus website.