Transit smart card could launch this fall

Calgary Transit users could see a limited rollout of the long- delayed smart card fare system this fall, the city’s transit boss said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at the launch of the city’s mobile transit app, Calgary Transit director Doug Morgan said the Connect system is still in its testing phase.

When it’s launched, the smart card will replace paper monthly passes and, eventually, paper tickets.

“One of the things that we’re currently working on is just the reliability of that technology,” Morgan said.

“We’re hoping by the fall you’ll see some of that rollout, but we want to make sure first and foremost that it works for Calgarians.”

Morgan declined to give a tentative launch date for the system, which was first announced in 2009.

“What I want to see is that it works appropriately for Calgarians before I set a date,” he said.

Testing for the Connect system was supposed to last three months, but it’s now been more than six.

Transit spokesman Ron Collins told the Herald last month this didn’t mean there were any problems with the system, but that Calgary Transit is being “diligent” with its testing.