Bytemark is expanding its partnership with Austin, Texas’ Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Bytemark will upgrade Capital Metro’s existing account-based fare payment system to one that will feature tap-and-go contactless payments plus a host of other functionality aiming to provide fast, easy, and safe payment solutions.

Bytemark will add functionality from Bytemark Connect, the account-based fare payments suite from its Plan, Book & Pay™ platform, Bytemark Bridge. The innovations include new ways to purchase and pay for fares, such as a tap-and-go payment option and adding reload opportunities in local retailers. Additionally, it will include new features such as stored value accounts.

With the changes, Capital Metro passengers will receive more ways to pay, faster boarding, and a central way to manage all fare media, reshaping the way they travel.

“This technology will give us the tools to allow customers faster and easier options to pay fares, including touchless payment options, even for those customers without credit cards,” said Capital Metro Chief Customer Officer Dottie Watkins. “Our focus at Capital Metro has always been on the safety and ease of our customers while using our services, and this new technology will help achieve that.”

Upgrades to Capital Metro’s existing fare collection system include the ability to manage the in-app stored value wallets on the agency’s existing customer website and physical, reloadable account-based smart cards, which will replace the current smart card system that offers limited-use cards pre-loaded with a cash value.

Bytemark will offer riders web-based or in-app smart card management and the ability to create, manage, and use a barcode-based virtual card in the app.

Expansion will focus on tap-and-go payments. Other possibilities include trip planner enhancements or integrations and first- and last-mile mobility providers.