INIT debuts contactless payments in Grand Rapids

Chesapeake, Va. / Tampa, Grand Rapids, MI., April 24, 2023  

In collaboration with INIT, The Rapid, a public transportation system that serves the greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area, has become the first transit agency in Michigan to launch contactless payments. As an additional option to Wave cards and cash fares, riders can now use physical credit or debit cards and digital cards stored in their mobile wallets to pay for transit.

The Rapid expects contactless payments to eliminate barriers by expediting the boarding process and enhancing accessibility. Instead of finding exact change, riders simply tap and board. This alternative is especially useful for the millions of visitors to the city who are attending special events like the ArtPrize Festival, concerts, or sporting events.

Through INIT's back-office software, a transfer and daily fare cap is included for contactless payments, so all riders never pay more than the $3.50 daily max. This feature makes contactless payments more economically attractive compared to cash fares. Riders who want to take advantage of the daily fare capping must use the same form of payment for each ride.

The installation of contactless payments will give riders in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area new freedom. Additionally, there is an anticipation of increasing ridership through convenient and accessible transportation technology.

The Rapid’s contactless payment launch is INIT's third implementation in the United States, following Portland, Oregon and Tampa, Florida. Two more INIT-built open payment projects are planned for Spokane and Nashville in 2023.