Government has admitted digital payment solutions for public transportation have been delayed too long.

The blueprint for the new legislative session says a measure will soon be taken to Parliament to improve the bus and ferry experience by modernising the ticketing system for commuters, allowing them to use credit or debit cards, or, smartphone payment systems.

But it will also allow government to better understand passenger numbers on each route. In fact, three years ago it was proposed that users would even be able to track the location of their bus and/or ferry through an app.

The new payment platform is expected to make it much easier for anyone to use the public transport system, without the pre-planning that is required today.

It is particularly problematic for tourists trying to take a bus ride without the benefit of exact change, prepaid bus tokens or tickets.

The Throne Speech delivered Friday concedes: “the promise of digital fare media for public transport has been too long deferred.”

It states: “A reduced reliance on cash payments and the introduction of convenient digital payment methods will allow our public transport interface to match our tourism marketing as a luxury destination.

“The procurement process is complete and during this session, the legislature will be invited to consider amendments to the Government Omnibus (Fares) Regulations 1952 to implement this initiative.”

While the Speech from the Throne does not say so, long-time observers believe the changes will come with an increase in the fare paid by users.

The promise of change for the users of buses and ferries is not new.

The aim of the transition, as outlined in a 2020 Request for Proposal for a digital fare media partner, was to provide an enhanced passenger experience that is frictionless, secure and cashless, transforming how locals and visitors access and navigate public transportation services.

The RFP stated: “The fare payment platform will allow for the ease of ticketing, validation and remittance of fare media revenues to the Government.

“Desirable features include GPS tracking of buses or ferries, real-time passenger information and operational data for schedule compliance.”

The 2019 Green Paper on transport pointed out that tracking buses and obtaining real-time information on punctuality is one customer service feature of public transport that Bermuda can and should embrace.

It said: “It requires the installation of GPS tracking software and equipment on all buses. At present, only a small percentage of buses have this capability.

“Part of modernising Bermuda’s bus fleet involves bringing this capability to residents’ and visitors’ smart phones, which the Government is committed to doing.

“Work has already commenced with Google Transit for GPS bus tracking in real-time.”

The discussion paper also raised the possibility of wi-fi on buses and ferries.

But importantly, it pointed out: “Future planning of routes and schedules must be based on more than anecdotal evidence. (The Department of Public Transportation) requires actual ridership information.

“At present, there are no passenger counts being carried out on the public buses – either manually or with automatic counters.

“The Government will seek to outfit the bus fleet with the necessary equipment to enable automatic passenger counts.”

In addition, the paper said: “Having the bus schedule and tracking on a smart phone app will also eliminate the need to provide printed schedules, which get vandalised, at each bus stop.”

Former Transport Minister Lawrence Scott, told a press conference on his Throne Speech initiatives three years ago pretty much the same thing.

He told journalists in November 2020: “Another advantage to the implementation of a digital fare media is that it will provide the Government with the ability to collect real time ridership data, which will allow us the ability to make necessary adjustments to the Public Transportation Schedule.

“While we look to transition the bus and ferry service over to a Digital Fare Media, the majority of the Taxi industry has been using similar electronic platforms for years.

“However, the Ministry is aware that a harmonisation of sorts is needed among public service vehicles.

“In this Session of the House of Assembly (2020), the Legislature will take under consideration a Bill to harmonise the licence fees for public service vehicles, with the aim to provide consistency within that industry.”