California’s Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) is introducing Tap2Ride, a new contactless fare payment system that makes riding transit more convenient, efficient, and accessible for the community.

With this launch, RABA is also now live on Cal-ITP Benefits, becoming the ninth transit agency in California to join the platform and the first small transit provider in the state to offer automated, real-time low-income fare eligibility verification through Tap2Ride.

The Tap2Ride

With Tap2Ride, riders can pay their fare by simply tapping a contactless debit or credit card, or a mobile wallet, when boarding. This streamlined approach reduces the need for cash and paper tickets while improving the overall boarding experience.

Cash and all other valid fare forms will continue to be accepted, ensuring flexibility for all riders, officials said.

“Tap2Ride is about removing barriers and making transit work better for everyone in our community,” said John Andoh, transit manager at RABA. “By combining easy, contactless payments with fast, secure access to reduced fares, we’re creating a system that is more convenient, more inclusive, and better aligned with how people live and travel today.”

Cal-ITP Benefits

RABA’s participation in Cal-ITP Benefits also introduces a first-of-its-kind low-income enrollment pathway. Riders can complete the process entirely online in just minutes, without paperwork or in-person appointments, and receive discounts automatically when they tap to ride.

Approximately 5,500 households along RABA’s fixed-route services receive public assistance, making this advancement especially impactful in reducing transportation barriers throughout Shasta County. Additional Tap2Ride benefits for RABA riders include discounted fares for older adults (65+), Medicare cardholders, and U.S. veterans, said officials.