Baltimore transit agency launches mobile ticketing app

The Maryland Department of Transportation's Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) late last week launched CharmPass, a mobile ticketing app for rail and bus services.

The app enables passengers to use smartphones to pay fares for Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train service, as well as light-rail and subway services. The app allows 90-minute transfers between transit modes.

"CharmPass is an innovative tool that will eliminate the need for people to fumble with cash, which will help speed the boarding process and improve reliability," said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn in a news release.

The animated mobile tickets include security codes that change daily. Operators can ask riders to tap the screen to check a ticket's validity, since tapping the screen causes the ticket to change color.

If expired, tickets will turn a gray color.

CharmPass is powered by moovel N.A. LLC, a mobile app developer that provides technology behind apps at the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and Caltrain.

MDOT MTA will have access to the company's transaction and operations management system, which supports back-end services to increase "operational efficiencies for ticket validation and business intelligence," according to moovel officials.

The agency also will have access to FareShare, which is used for managing and distributing transportation benefits and reduced fares.