FARE PAYMENT SURVEY FAQ
1. How much is gomobile ticketing going to cost? Are all fares increasing?
gomobile ticketing will match MetroCard pricing. The cash fare is not increasing, and no other fares are being changed at this time.
2. Is the gomobile app going to replace MetroCard? Will it replace cash?
No, we will continue accepting all current fare payment options. gomobile ticketing will simply become another option for riders to pay their fare.
3. I currently use a 7-day or 30-day unlimited MetroCard. Will unlimited passes be available on gomobile?
Since mobile ticketing is a pilot program, only pay-per-ride fares will be offered at launch. We will explore offering new fare products, such as unlimited ride passes, in future phases of the project.
4. Can I transfer to MTA Bus/Subway or Suffolk County Transit with the app?
gomobile tickets can only be used on NICE buses. Rider that need to transfer to other transit systems must continue using current fare payment options.
5. Can I transfer to another NICE bus with the app?
Yes! You can use your ticket to transfer to two other NICE buses within 2hr 15minutes.
6. Why do I occasionally experience read errors when I dip my MetroCard?
Since MetroCard technology is quite old, the equipment can sometimes have issues reading the magnetic stripe on your MetroCard. Please ensure that you protect your MetroCard from the elements, and avoid bending or damaging the magnetic strip.
We understand customer frustration, and the mobile ticketing pilot is our first initiative to revamp fare payment at NICE bus. To minimize read error issues, NICE has distributed special cleaning cards to drivers, launched an aggressive preventive maintenance campaign, and increased our staff of farebox technicians.
7. Why aren’t there more ticket vending machines in Nassau County? It is very difficult to buy MetroCards.
NICE accepts MetroCards for fare payment, but has little control over the MetroCard system and distribution of cards.
Riders that have difficulty accessing vending machines should consult the MTA website for a list of resellers in the county. Riders can also take advantage of the MTA's EasyPay MetroCard program, which automatically refills MetroCards that customer’s link to a credit card or bank account.
8. Why can’t your fareboxes take bills or make change?
Our fareboxes are not equipped to take paper currency and retrofitting or replacing fareboxes is not an option at this time. Furthermore, fareboxes that accept bills or make change would slow down boarding. In fact, one of the reasons we are looking into mobile ticketing and other new fare collection technologies is to speed up the boarding process and get you to your destinations more quickly.
9. I want to be able to pay on the bus with my debit or credit card.
NICE bus is actively exploring technology that would allow customers with contactless bank cards to pay on board the bus. Most contactless bank cards should have a logo similar to the image below somewhere on the card.
Want to learn more about this technology? Check out this FAQ from the Smart Card Alliance: http://bit.ly/1gve8M1
10. Why Mobile Ticketing? Why not SmartCards?
NICE is also exploring SmartCard technology as part of our goal to revamp fare payment on NICE buses. The gomobile ticketing pilot program is the first step towards a newer system.
11. Will there be senior and reduced fare discounts with gomobile ticketing?
Yes. Eligible customers will be able to receive the same discounts that they do now. More details will be released as we get closer to the summer launch.
12. I’m nervous about the security of using this app. What security features are built into the gomobile app?
Masabi, the company that NICE has contracted with for the pilot, has built a maximum security environment to safeguard all personal data. Purchases are secured via Masabi’s EncryptME cryptography system, encrypting all data with 1024bit RSA and 256bit AES encryption between the Customer App and Cloud servers. These algorithms are as strong as those employed in online banking systems. The award winning EncryptME technology has been validated to U.S. government standards by British Telecom Cryptographic Labs. Masabi’s JustRide Platform is designed around the defensive assumption that mobile phone sare often lost, stolen or upgraded, and must carry no risk of compromising the rider’s payment information in those situations.
13. I have other questions that are not answered here.
More information about gomobile ticketing, and fare collection in general, will be released as we get closer to launch.
14. I LOVE YOUR JONES BEACH SERVICE.
Yes, we did receive several confessions from riders that they adore our Jones Beach routes (even though we didn’t ask!) We can’t wait to bring Nassau to the beach this summer!