Riders on Salt Spring Island can now pay their bus fare with a simple tap of a debit card, credit card, or mobile wallet. BC Transit launched this contactless payment system on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, across all of its transit systems in British Columbia, including those serving the island.
This update allows passengers to board the island’s six transit routes without needing to carry cash or purchase a specific transit card. The contactless payment charges the standard adult single-ride fare of $2.75, the same rate as cash payments. This fare amount was implemented on May 2, 2026, marking the first increase for the system since 2012. Additionally, the system automatically applies fare transfer benefits to contactless payments with no extra fees.
While the new tap-to-pay feature is available to most passengers, those eligible for concession fares, such as youth and seniors, must continue to use the Umo app, a reloadable Umo card, or cash to receive their discounted rates. BC Transit advises riders to tap a single card rather than an entire wallet to avoid potential billing errors and notes that each rider in a group should use their own individual card.
The transition to contactless payments is the final stage of a $24.8-million initiative known as the Electronic Fare Collection System Project. This project was supported by the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which is jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and local government partners, including the Capital Regional District.
