ETS introduces cash-counting fare boxes

Edmonton Transit begins testing a new fare box that counts coins this week.

For 10 weeks, four buses on busy cross-town routes will be using the boxes to test their accuracy to see if they impede passenger boarding times. 

The Coin-Tube farebox accepts coins individually and, similar to a vending machine, providing a read-out of the amount. 

"As you put in your coins, it will tally what the amount is and when you reach the amount of the cash fare — in this case it's $3 — it will show a green light and you just walk away and your fare has been paid," said Patricia Waisman, ETS director of business development.

"We believe that there's a ratio of people that overpay as much as underpay," she said. "It'll keep track of how much people put in and, secondly, at the end of the day, whatever is in that coin tube."

ETS hopes to have them on all of its 900 buses by next year.

The cash boxes are part of Edmonton Transit's efforts to improve its fare collection systems.

ETS is looking at a variety of options including debit cards, credit cards, smart cards and digital passes, all which could mean then end to paper passes, tickets, transfers and the acceptance of paper bills.

However, no matter which options it chooses, Edmonton Transit intends to continue to accept coins for fare payment.