Lake County, OH – Laketran is taking another major step toward modernizing its fare collection system with the launch of new EZfare smartcards and transit vending machines, expanding convenient payment options for riders who prefer cash or do not use smartphones.

The initiative is the latest in Laketran’s multi-year effort to enhance fare payment accessibility and streamline operations. In 2019, Laketran introduced the EZfare mobile ticketing app, giving customers a cashless option for purchasing and storing their bus passes.

In 2021, Laketran expanded EZfare to serve unbanked and cash-preferred riders by allowing customers to load cash onto their EZfare accounts at more than 70 retail outlets across Northeast Ohio that offer Vanilla Direct.

Two years later, Laketran rolled out Tap & Ride adding account-based ticketing on the app. The upgrade offers the ability to store funds on the app and riders simply scan a QR code in the app to debit their fare when boarding the bus.

This week, Laketran will debut its new EZfare smartcard, designed for customers who prefer not to use the mobile app but want the same benefits—including the popular Tap & Ride feature.

To further support cash-preferred riders, Laketran has installed transit vending machines at three transit centers in Wickliffe, Painesville and Lakeland Community College, as well as its Mentor Park-n-Ride. The machines allow customers to add stored value or passes to their EZfare account with cash and purchase EZfare smartcards directly onsite. The new vending machines represent another milestone in the agency’s transition to a modern, flexible fare payment system.

Ticket vending machines at Lakeland and Painesville transit centers will be in operation starting the week of Monday, January 12 as part of a testing phase for the new technology. EZfare smartcards are available for purchase at the vending machines and will eventually be available to purchase at Laketran Headquarters and on the Laketran website.

“While most customers use a credit card or digital wallet to pay their fare on EZfare, Laketran wants to make the convenience of the app available to our cash-paying customers and individuals who aren’t comfortable using a mobile device,” explained Laketran CEO Ben Capelle.

Capelle added that the new technology also supports the agency’s long-term operational goals. “This technology not only provides more fare options for our customers, but it also helps reduce the cost of our fare collection from an operating expense,” shared Capelle. “Our ultimate goal is to eliminate the need to replace our costly electronic fareboxes that are on over 40 buses with these five transit vending machines. The vending machines require significantly less maintenance and we’ll have fewer to operate.”