In Partnership with Modeshift, New Digital System Brings Contactless Payments and Mobile QR Code Validation to Mercer County’s Fixed-route Service
HERMITAGE, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Shenango Valley Shuttle Service, operated by the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments (COG), launches a new digital fare payment platform on June 16, designed to bring convenience and flexibility to riders across the Shenango Valley. The third generation fare collection system, developed in partnership with Modeshift, introduces contactless mobile payments and ticketing, allowing riders to pay and board with a tap of their smartphone.
Riders can now use a free app to purchase fares and validate their trip by scanning a QR code onboard. While the mobile system marks a major step forward in transit modernization for the region, cash payments will still be accepted on all Shenango Valley Shuttle Service routes to offer riders flexible payment options.
Standard one-way fares remain $1.25. A new One-Day Pass is also available for riders who plan to make multiple trips in a single day. One-Day passes must be purchased through the app or at the customer service center located at 2495 Highland Rd. Hermitage, PA.
“Our goal is to ensure we’re serving the needs of the Mercer County and Shenango Valley communities as they evolve,” said Jill Boozer, Executive Director of the Mercer County Regional COG. “By introducing new technology, we’re not only making transit more convenient but also opening the door to future improvements that reflect how people live and travel today.”
Key features of the new system include:
- Mobile App: Riders can download the app for Apple or Android devices, enabling fare payment and QR-code ride validation directly from their smartphones. The app is available now to download in both Apple and Google Play Stores:
- One-Day Pass Option: A new pass type designed for added convenience and value for riders making multiple trips in a day.
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Web Portal: Riders can take advantage of RideSVSS’ features through a convenient online portal that streamlines fare purchases and trip planning.
- Visit www.ridesvss.mcrcog.com/go-mobile for more details.
- Smart Pay Account: Custom profiles to manage travel, view past purchases, buy passes and add funds to smart cards or digital wallets.
- Smart Cards: For riders who prefer not to use their phones, reloadable smart cards connected to e-wallets offer an easy, tap-and-go alternative.
- Data-Driven Planning: The digital platform provides real-time usage insights to help inform future service changes and improvements.
“This launch is about more than just going digital, it’s about laying the foundation for a transit system that’s responsive, forward-looking, and easier to use,” said Miroslav Katsarov, CEO of Modeshift. “Shenango Valley is joining a growing movement of agencies using modern fare collection to connect more meaningfully with the communities they serve.”
The new digital platform does not apply to the Mercer County Community Transit, which continues to operate separately. The shuttle currently operates four fixed routes, Monday through Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm, and two on Saturday 8:00 am- 4:00 pm, excluding Sundays and select holidays.
To learn more about the Shenango Valley Shuttle Service partnership and other initiatives, visit www.modeshift.com.
About Modeshift
Modeshift, Inc. is a technology company that helps transit agencies modernize their user-facing technology and the underlying infrastructure to improve efficiency, increase ridership and provide adequate, sustainability-oriented service. It is the only all-in-one digital mobility infrastructure platform that also gives the transit industry the tools to reduce their carbon emissions and aim for sustainability.
Our core product is Account-based Fare Collection System, based on the Microsoft Azure cloud and delivered as a service (Software as a Service – SaaS). Modeshift also provides other subsystems which complete the stack of hardware and software needed to operate a modern transit system such as Mobile ticketing, AVL/CAD and real-time passenger information.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Daria Cutler
daria.cutler@modeshift.com
