What is Umo?
Bloomington Transit will be implementing a new fare collection system called Umo (pronounced “YOU-mo”) starting Monday, November 18, 2024. Riders can pay their fare on fixed route buses and BLink service vehicles with the Umo mobile app or with a reloadable fare card.
Fare amounts have not changed: $1 for regular fare, 50¢ for reduced fare, $2 for BLink (BTaccess and microtransit) services. If the Umo mobile app or card is not your preferred way to pay fares, riders will still have the option to pay cash (in the exact amount).
How do I get set up?
Going forward, Bloomington Transit riders will have three options when paying fares:
App users
- Download the “Umo Mobility” app on the App Store or Google Play.
- Sign up for an account using your email address or mobile phone number.
- Select “Bloomington Transit”/“Monroe County, Indiana” as your preferred agency/location.
- Add funds to your Umo Wallet by clicking “Buy” and then “Add Money.”
- Select an amount and add a payment method. Discover, MasterCard and Visa credit/debit cards are accepted in the mobile app.
- You can also add money to your wallet by going to the Bloomington Transit offices, the Downtown Transit Center or select local retailers and having them scan the “Account Code” before providing payment. Cash may also be accepted at these locations.
Card users
- If you typically purchase monthly passes or any kind of physical tickets, you will need an Umo card. November 2024 will be the final month that Bloomington Transit riders can purchase monthly passes. All existing passes and tickets will still be honored.
- Visit the Bloomington Transit offices or Downtown Transit Center to get your first Umo card. Your initial card is FREE when you add $15 or more to an account before the end of 2024. Regular price for an initial or replacement card is $3.
- Tell the Bloomington Transit assistant how much you would like to add to your account and provide payment. Discover, MasterCard and Visa credit/debit cards are accepted, as well as cash.
- Visit www.UmoPass.com to create an account and register your card.
- If you lose or damage your Umo card, you can purchase a replacement for $3 at the Bloomington Transit offices or Downtown Transit Center. Your new card can be linked to your existing account, so you will be able to access and use any remaining funds.
- You can re-load your card by going to the Bloomington Transit offices, the Downtown Transit Center or select local retailers.
Cash users
- Cash (in the exact amount) will still be accepted on all Bloomington Transit services.
- With the implementation of Umo, transfer tickets will NOT be available for cash users going forward.
How do I use Umo?
Prepare to board at a designated bus stop or shelter and have your Umo mobile app (QR code) or card in hand.
Enter at the front of the bus and place your mobile phone (QR code) or card face down on the Umo fare validator machine.
- If the screen turns Green, your fare has been accepted.
- If the screen turns Yellow, you may need to present a supplemental identification for reduced fare. A yellow screen may also serve as a warning for low funds in your Umo Wallet or account.
- If the screen turns Red, your fare was not accepted. This may be due to no funds in your Umo Wallet or account or an expired ticket.
IU students, faculty and staff
Indiana University students, faculty and staff – as well as City of Bloomington government, qualified Monroe County Public Library and IU Health employees – will still be able to ride Bloomington Transit fixed bus routes fare-free.
These riders can continue to present their valid identification cards to the Bloomington Transit drivers as they board the bus.
Fare capping
A primary benefit of Umo will be “Fare Capping”
As long as regular fare riders scan Umo to pay for their trips, they will never pay more than $30 per month or $3 per day ($15 per month or $1.50 per day for reduced fare riders).
Advantages of “Fare Capping” include not having to pay a large sum up front for a bus pass each month and allowing riders to potentially save money by only paying for what they use in a month.
“Fare Capping” applies to fixed bus routes and BLink (microtransit only) trips.
Transfers
One transfer is added to your trip every time you scan Umo to pay. The transfer window is 60 minutes. The “clock” begins at the time you board your first bus. From that point, you will have 60 minutes to scan Umo to board the bus that you choose for your transfer.
For example, let’s say you wish to travel from College Mall to Walmart. If you board the 3E bus at 7:30 a.m., you will have until 8:30 a.m. to board the 4W bus at the Downtown Transit Center. You do not have to complete your entire trip in 60 minutes.
With the implementation of Umo, transfer tickets will NOT be available for cash users going forward.
Frequently asked questions
Q: If I use the Token Transit mobile app, do I still need that?
A: No. The Umo mobile app will effectively replace Token Transit going forward. If you still have funds or tickets on Token Transit, those will not disappear. However, you will not be able to add new funds or buy new tickets on Token Transit starting in December 2024.
Q: Can I use the Umo mobile app to track my bus?
A: No. Bloomington Transit riders will need to continue using the ETA Spot app to access real-time location statuses, route updates and trip planning capabilities.
Q: Do I need to get both the Umo app and card?
A: No, you only need to choose one to be your preferred method. In fact, the Umo app and card operate separately and cannot be combined to the same account.
Please comment below if you have any further questions about Umo not already covered on this page!