Public transit riders in the Montreal area may soon be able to validate their fares using only their smartphones, as the region's transit authority begins testing a new feature in the Chrono app.

This is part of an ongoing effort to upgrade payment systems so one day, users can pay with their bank card as they enter the Metro or bus, as is done in other cities.

The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) says the new feature will allow users to purchase and load transit passes direct…