Greenlink wants to swap fumbling for dollar bills with a quick tap of a phone, and it is rolling out a plan that could reshape how Greenville rides the bus. The proposed OneFare system is app-first and distance-based, tracking how far riders travel, capping daily costs and nudging everyone toward tap-and-go payments to cut down crowded stop delays.
The OneFare proposal debuted this week, and Greenlink will hold a public comment meeting at 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 before the Greenville Transit Authority takes a vote on Sept. 24, according to FOX Carolina. The outlet reports that riders would be able to manage accounts and check balances through the Umo app, and that the system is clearly tilted toward electronic payments via an app or reloadable card in order to speed up boarding.
How OneFare Would Work
According to the City of Greenville, OneFare is designed to tie fares to the actual distance and complexity of each trip so that longer rides feel more proportionate in price. The system would automatically stop charging once riders hit a daily maximum, which officials say should make budgeting easier for regular riders. The city also notes that existing discounted fares would continue for seniors, Medicare users, veterans and students.
Umo App And Payment Changes
Greenlink already relies on the Umo platform for mobile tickets and reloadable smartcards, and the OneFare rollout would lean heavily on that setup, according to Umo Mobility. Riders would be able to buy, load and track fares through the Umo app or passenger portal. Transit officials say that prioritizing electronic payments should cut dwell time at busy stops, and the city has published information and a public comment period about the proposal.
Questions About Cash And Access
App-first systems can move buses along more quickly, but they also raise familiar equity issues for people who depend on cash or who do not own smartphones. Greenlink previously put an exact-change rule in place for cash users in January 2023, a shift that pushed more riders onto Umo smartcards and came with a waived activation fee early in the rollout, as noted by Greenville Journal. Advocates and riders can use the public comment window to submit feedback on the proposal; the city's materials explain how to comment.
Greenlink is asking riders to review the proposal and speak up during the Aug. 27 session or online ahead of the Greenville Transit Authority's Sept. 24 vote. Full materials and details are available on the City of Greenville, and the city invites public comment on the proposal.
