Friday marks the first day that SEPTA is allowing contactless payments for riders when boarding. Riders can use their bank card, smart phone or smart watch to tap in. NBC10’s Frances Wang caught up with SEPTA riders and has their reactions.
SEPTA launched a new program on Friday that will let riders pay for bus, trolley and train rides through contactless payment like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. Riders can use their smart phone, smart watch, or physical bank card.
The new program is available on SEPTA's city and suburban buses, trolleys, Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line and Norristown High Speed Line, according to a statement.
Riders can now simply tap the contactless bank card of their choice when they board or pass through a turnstile. It costs the same as SEPTA's Travel Wallet with two free transfers when using the same card.
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This contactless payment program is expected to ease peak commuter hours and reduce how long a vehicle idles while passengers are boarding.
For riders using a reduced fare program, you can use your bank card to load Travel Wallet onto your Key card.
The transit agency is urging riders to avoid "card clash" by removing their payment option from their wallet to make sure the right card is being charged.
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When using the contactless payment, riders will see one charge for the total cost of their trips at the end of each day.
SEPTA is preparing to launch the contactless payment program on Regional Rail in early 2024.
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