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San Francisco's Muni Unveiling Pay-By-Phone App Later This Year

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Riders of San Francisco Muni buses, trains and world-famous cable cars will be able to purchase fares through their smartphones during a pilot program later this year, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said Monday.

"This mobile fare payment pilot program is part of our efforts to improve the customer's experience on the Muni system. With this new app, riders will be able to buy tickets on their phones anywhere and anytime," SFMTA Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin said in a written statement.

With the app, riders will no longer be required to have exact change or rely on fare vending machines, the SFMTA said. The software, developed by Portland, Oregon-based GlobeSherpa, will allow riders to use debit cards, credit cards or PayPal to buy Muni tickets.

SFMTA inspectors will be able to verify fares purchased via smartphone through a separate app.

The pilot program for the mobile app is expected to begin this summer. Muni's app will be available for Apple iOS and Android devices.

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