The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District have partnered to introduce a new feature dubbed Express Mode.
In an effort to make public transportation more convenient, MTS and NTCD officials say Express Mode will allow riders to pay and ride transit across San Diego County with a simple tap from their iPhone or Apple Watch – although the feature is not yet available for other mobile devices and payment services such as Android and Google Pay.
The feature promotes the use of Apple Pay, a mobile payment service by the tech giant that allows users to access the wallet from their mobile device to make secure payments.
Without the need to unlock their device or open any apps, riders will be able to pay for transportation by holding their Apple device near a Pronto validator using Apple Pay.
Express Mode will be accessible for Apple users on all MTS buses and trolleys as well as NCTD COASTER, SPRINTER, BREEZE and FLEX services.
According to MTS and NCTD officials, Express Mode is designed to be a resource for not only for everyday commuters but also millions of visitors who annually attend events or conferences across the county.
“NCTD is excited to work with Apple to make taking transit more convenient for residents and visitors,” said NCTD Chief Executive Officer Shawn M. Donaghy, while noting that Express Mode expands on a contactless payment feature launched last year.
To use Express Mode, users must opt-in and choose a card in their Apple wallet to be charged when holding their device near a Pronto reader. This can be done through the following steps:
Open the Wallet app and select a card, pass, or key; Tap the More button, then tap Card Details; Tap Express Transit Settings or Express Mode; Select your preferred transit card, payment card or other compatible pass or key.Once set up, a one-way adult fare will be charged to the default card each time the device is tapped. Each passenger will be required to pay their fare with a different Apple device; devices can be used for one rider at a time.
This payment is valid for two hours, so transfers to other lines or routes are covered through Express Mode.
“Today marks an exciting step forward in making public transit in San Diego more seamless and convenient,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and a member of the San Diego City Council. “Whether you’re heading to a Padres game, a concert, or simply commuting to your next destination, paying with Apple Pay empowers riders to hop onboard faster. We appreciate having the close collaboration with Apple to bring this feature to our transit systems.”
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