METS modernizes fare collection system to accept cash and digital payments

12 March 2026

The Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) is pleased to announce a five-year agreement with Matawan, to completely modernize the city’s bus fare collection system.

METS is advancing public transportation with the introduction of Matawan’s advanced Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) and Open Payment system. This initiative offers increased accessibility and equity for over one million annual METS riders, by allowing payment via cash, credit, or debit across 29 buses and 21 routes. This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of city transit.

Our top priority was ensuring modernization didn’t mean exclusion. Matawan understood this immediately. Their ability to blend paying by bank credit card, debit card or mobile wallet with a system for digitizing cash fares will allow us to expand the ability to sell bus passes through a third-party vender in the future, if needed.

said Evansville Transportation and Services Director Todd Robertson.

Bridging Legacy Technology with Future Mobility

The core of this transformative project is Matawan’s unique ability to integrate its cutting-edge ABT platform with the existing infrastructure. This capability allows METS to transition smoothly, while immediately gaining:

Inclusive Access: Existing fareboxes are retained, and physical cash top-ups are integrated via local retail partners—effectively digitizing cash for the unbanked—while simultaneously accepting standard EMV (credit/debit card) and mobile wallet payments.
Dynamic Fare Engine: Providing the flexibility to easily implement programs, such as popular “Free Ride Days,” without system overhaul, a feature often difficult for legacy systems to manage.
Fare Capping: Automatically ensuring riders never pay more than the daily or weekly pass price, regardless of how often they tap.

Matawan’s proven and innovative SaaS fare payment platform will enable METS to achieve their goals and improve the user experience. Our solution ensures that while we digitize and streamline operations, we don’t leave anyone behind. We are digitizing cash, ensuring every rider—whether they use a card, mobile wallet, or cash—benefits from flexible, fair, and data-driven mobility.

said Ian Woodroofe, Matawan’s Managing Director North America.

This implementation positions Evansville at the forefront of regional US transit modernization, showcasing how even mid-sized networks can pivot easily to take advantage of new payment platforms to improve service to their clients.