Fare Capping & Tap to Pay
Fare Capping and Tap-to-pay Frequently Asked Questions
With Fare Capping and tap to pay coming this fall, we wanted to get as much information in your hands to be prepared, and take advantage of these NEW, easy ways to pay, and get the best deal every time!
What is Fare Capping?
Fare capping is a policy that sets a maximum amount you can pay for transit fares over a set period (Daily, over 31-days). Once you reach that cap, any additional trips during that period are free!
What are the Types of Fare Capping the DTA offers?
Daily: Once a customer has spent $3.00 in a service, day, they have earned a ‘Day-Pass’ and can ride for free the rest of the service day.
31-Day: When a customer has spent $40 within a 31 day period, they ride for free during the remainder of that 31-day period.
How do I get started?
Passengers can:
- Create an account using the FREE MyDTA app available on Google and .iOS mobile platforms. In this case, they would use stored value to purchase tickets, and scan them on the JustRide validator on DTA buses.
This option connects your existing or newly created account to the fare-capping system, allowing you to use the MyDTA app to earn towards single day/31-day passes.
Best for: Customers already using the MyDTA or Transit app to purchase mobile tickets and passes.2
2. Add at least $5 to a physical “More Card” available at the customer service window to use fare-capping without sharing any personal or banking information. The more card simply tracks how much is spent in a day or 31-day period, and helps riders earn day passes and 31-day passes.
This option provides a worry-free experience, and does not require providing personal information to utilize the benefits
Best for: Those who prefer cash, or do not wish to connect banking or other personal information to the ticketing process.
3. Use tap-to-pay with their own contactless bank card, smartphone, or smart device linked to their MyDTA Account.
This option requires no additional physical card, and is great for customers with electronic payment options, who have or are able to create a MyDTA account.
**Note that you will need to link your physical debit/credit card or mobile wallet card to your MyDTA account.
Are there any extra fees associated with Fare capping and mobile ticketing?
No, the MyDTA app is free to download, and the physical “More Card” is free when you add at least $5.00 to your new card.
Assuming someone has a More Card, and has reached their cap for the month, but has a cash balance on their More card account and wants to use their earned pass, while also paying for another or multiple passengers, is this in any way possible, or will it just be treated as a pass back?
This would register as a pass-back and would not add to a riders own tally towards earning fare-capping. A rider’s fare cap and earned pass are tied specifically to their own card’s tap history. Even with a balance sitting on the account, the system won’t let the same card be tapped twice in quick succession to cover a second or third rider. It’s flagged and rejected as a duplicate tap. Each traveler needs their own card (or app/EMV card) tapped for their own ride. If a rider wants to cover the fare for a friend or family member, the way to do that is to load funds onto that person’s own card or account ahead of time, rather than tapping one card multiple times at boarding.
Where can I add value to my ‘More Card’?
You can visit the customer service window at the Duluth Transportation Center, or add value to your card at participating vanilla direct locations shown below:
LINK to Interactive Map
If I pay for multiple tickets back to back with a More Card or MyDTA account, how will fare capping be applied?
The first fare purchased in a 30-minute window will count towards your daily or 31-day fare cap. Other tickets can still be purchased, but only the first fare will be added to your tally.
How will fare capping be affected by peak vs off-peak times with the DTA System?
No matter what fare price is charged, that amount will be added to your fare capping tally towards a day or 31-day pass. Fare capping will take place regardless the peak or off peak nature of the trips used to reach the cap.
Can I Transfer my balance from a soft or prox-card to a More card in order to begin enjoying the benefits of fare-capping?
Yes, passengers can visit the customer service window at the Duluth Transportation center and a Team Member can transfer a balance onto the new ‘More Card’.
Does the DTA plan to discontinue the use of paper and prox-card formats?
There is not currently a set date for “sunsetting” the current fare media options, and we will continue to evaluate each card type after the fare capping launch. In the event we do begin to discontinue the current paper or prox-cards, we will provide a significant grace period for customers to use their existing balance or transfer value to the ‘More Card’.
Can I use a paper fare card or current Prox-card for fare capping?
Because these current cards can not be loaded with the technology required to use fare-capping, they cannot be used for this purpose. We encourage those with value on these traditional cards to use it up before acquiring a more card or creating a MyDTA account. You can also transfer an existing balance at the customer service window at the DTC.
What are some benefits of Fare Capping?
- Simplified fare management
One of the biggest benefits of fare capping is that it reduces the complexity of managing different fare types and prices. Transit agencies will be able to streamline their operations and reduce administrative burdens. This simplification also makes it easier to implement and manage fare changes.
- Increased ridership
Fare capping helps to attract more riders to the transport system through a transparent and predictable cost structure. When passengers know that their fare will not exceed a certain amount, they are more likely to opt for public transport over other methods. This increased ridership means higher revenue for agencies.
- Enhanced efficiency
Fare capping helps to encourage travel during off-peak hours. This balances the demand on the transport system, leading to a more efficient use of resources. It also allows agencies to manage and allocate their services more effectively.
- Fair and equitable pricing
Fare capping ensures that all riders have access to fair and equitable pricing. By capping fares, transit agencies can promote social equity and inclusivity, making public transportation accessible to a broader population.
- Data-driven decisions
The technology used in fare capping systems provides valuable data on ridership patterns and behaviors. Transit agencies can use this data to make informed decisions about service improvements, route adjustments, and fare policy changes. This information can then be used to optimize the service to meet the needs of passengers.
What are the benefits for passengers?
Of course, when looking at the meaning of capping, it is not only beneficial for transport agencies. Frequent passengers, tourists, and commuters are all able to take advantage of fare capping, with some of the biggest benefits including:
- Cost savings
Saving money is always a priority for passengers. Fare capping ensures passengers know they will not exceed a certain amount no matter how frequently they travel.
- Predictable expenses
Fare capping also provides financial predictability. By knowing the exact amount they will spend on transport, passengers are able to better budget their finances.
- Simplified fare system
A simplified and capped fare system reduces the confusion that can arise from different fare structures and pricing. Riders will not need to worry about calculating the cost of multiple trips, allowing them to travel with confidence.
- Improved travel experience
Fare capping encourages travel during off-peak times, alleviating overcrowding and creating a more pleasant experience for riders.
- Reduce their carbon footprint
By making public transport more accessible and affordable, it reduces the need for personal vehicles. This reduces congestion on the road and lowers passengers’ carbon footprints, boosting air quality in the city.
- Accessibility and Equity
Fare capping promotes greater accessibility and equity in public transportation. By capping fares, transit systems can ensure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to affordable transportation options. This is particularly important for low-income riders who may rely heavily on public transportation for their daily commute, errands, and other essential activities.
Tap to Pay:
Contactless EMV (cEMV) tap-to-pay lets riders pay for public transit using their own contactless bank card, smartphone, or smart device. It uses secure Near-Field Communication (NFC) to process open-loop payments directly through banking networks without needing a separate transit card or prior account setup.
Security and Privacy
- Encrypted Data: Every tap creates a unique, dynamic one-time security code.
- No Stored Info: Transit operators do not see, store, or share your personal bank details.
- Fraud Protection: Backed by standard global financial network liability rules.
Fares, Limits, and Charges
- Standard Cost: Taps usually cost the exact same as a standard adult single cash or base ticket.
- No Extra Fees: Transit agencies generally do not charge extra service fees to tap.
Tap-to-pay and fare capping:
If a passenger has an account with MyDTA or Transit (using the MyDTA account) they can pay with their physical card or mobile wallet at the validator, and the payment will be counted towards their fare cap tally.
**Note that you will need to link your physical debit/credit card or mobile wallet card to your MyDTA account.
Can someone put multiple More-card/ Fare Capping accounts in their digital wallet? A use case would be a parent and a child who frequently travel together, want to use EMV and Fare Capping, and are aiming to manage 2 accounts through one phone.
Yes! This is supported through what we call a family or shared account setup. A parent’s MyDTA account can have their child’s card linked to it alongside their own, so both can be managed and viewed from one login on one phone. Each card still keeps its own separate fare cap progress and trip history (ie. a child’s rides count toward the child’s own cap, not the parent’s) but everything can be checked and topped up in one place. Each card is still added to the phone’s own wallet separately.
Can someone use EMV tap to pay with a gift card?
Confirmed that this is a no. Gift cards aren’t the type of bank-issued contactless card the system accepts for tap-to-ride in the first place.
With the More card, only the first fare purchased within a given window counts towards the tally to earn day/31-day passes. What is that window, and is there a clear way to explain to folks why someone can’t buy tickets for several people, and earn towards their individual 31-day pass in the way that a restaurant loyalty program would allow them to?
The simplest way to frame it for riders: fare capping tracks rides taken, not money spent. Every tap of a rider’s own card counts toward their personal day/monthly total. Paying for someone else doesn’t move the needle on your own tally, because it’s tied to your card actually being tapped for your own trip. There’s also a short, built-in delay before the same card can be tapped again, specifically to prevent one card from being used to wave multiple people through. This is different from a restaurant rewards program, which just tracks dollars spent regardless of who orders. Our system is built to confirm actual individual rides, which is what makes the cap fair and accurate for every rider.
How can I go about getting the EMV/Fare capping set up for folks to do fare capping with a physical or digital card? Is it as simple as setting up an account through Masabi and connecting a card?
Yes, pretty much! Here’s a simple version you could use in rider-facing materials:
- Tap any contactless debit, credit, or prepaid card. Fare capping starts working right away, no signup required.
- To see your trip history and charges, create or log into a MyDTA account.
- In your account, add your card by entering the card number, expiry date, CVV, and billing zip code.
- Ride again using that same card and it will then show up in your account.
If someone chooses to use fare capping with EMV, will it automatically tie to their MyDTA account when they scan a displayed card? Does a digital visual version end up in their mobile wallet, or what does that process look like?
Fare capping itself works automatically on any contactless bank card from the very first tap, no account or app is needed. Linking that card to a MyDTA account is a separate step done in the app or on the website: the rider enters their card number, expiry date, CVV, and billing zip code, and the card shows up in their