Greenville, S.C. – The Greenville Transit Authority (Greenlink) will roll out a new electronic fare system called OneFare on Jan. 2, 2027. The change was approved by the Greenlink Board of Directors in September and was presented to the Greenville City Council at its Oct. 12 work session.
Why OneFare matters for riders
Greenlink Director James Keel explained that OneFare is designed to speed boarding and improve on‑time performance. “We’re trying to do everything we can to increase on‑time performance, so the less time somebody’s interacting with the fare box is going to hopefully increase our on‑time performance,” Keel said.
Under OneFare, riders can pay fares using three electronic options:
- The Umo mobile app
- A reloadable OneFare smart card
- Contactless payment methods (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay, contactless credit/debit cards)
Cash will still be accepted, but digital payments come with added benefits. Customers who purchase a single trip via the Umo app or OneFare card receive two free transfers within two hours. Those who use contactless payment receive one free transfer within 90 minutes. Cash riders do not receive free transfers.
Fare caps and free cards
OneFare also introduces automatic daily, weekly and monthly fare caps for electronic users. Keel noted that riders using the Umo app or OneFare card will never pay more than $5 in a single day, $15 in a week, or $50 in a month, regardless of how many trips they take.
To encourage adoption, Greenlink will distribute free OneFare cards to new customers from Nov. 23 through Jan. 30. The cards can be picked up at the Transit Center in downtown Greenville or at Greenlink offices.
Impact on the community
The shift to electronic payments aligns with broader efforts to modernize public services and reduce cash handling costs. By streamlining fare collection, Greenlink hopes to keep buses running on schedule, making public transit a more reliable option for commuters, students and seniors.
Local businesses and schools stand to benefit from smoother commutes, while families can take advantage of the free transfer incentives to save on transportation costs. The fare caps provide predictable budgeting for households that rely on daily bus travel.
How to get started
Residents interested in the new system can download the Umo app from major app stores, request a OneFare card at the Transit Center, or simply tap a contactless payment method when boarding. For detailed information, visit greenvillesc.gov/greenlink-onefare.
Greenlink officials anticipate a smooth transition and will monitor rider feedback throughout the early months of implementation.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
