An Update on Contactless Fare Payment across Agencies in California - Streetsblog California

Open-loop contactless fare payment allows riders to pay adult full fares using standard contactless credit or debit cards, including mobile wallets, instead of single-purpose transit cards. This change is expanding across California, increasing the share of trips supported by contactless or fare-free systems from under a quarter at the start of 2025 toward about 95% within a year. The approach simplifies travel for occasional riders by removing the need to look up fares, obtain change, or buy farecards. It also reduces cash handling for agencies, speeding boarding and lowering physical labor costs. It further enables new fare policies such as fare capping, where repeated taps charge regular fares until the monthly pass price is reached, after which additional rides are free.

"In the lead up to the World Cup, LA Metro and partner agencies launched the ability to use any contactless credit or debit card, including mobile wallets, to pay an adult full fare. This change is occurring across California: at the beginning of 2025, under a quarter of trips in California took place on systems that either accepted contactless fare payment or were fare-free. Within the next year, that will be closer to 95% of trips, from Redding to Victor Valley and beyond."

"This "open-loop" fare payment - paying with a normal contactless credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Wallet, instead of a single-purpose transit card - makes life easier for both riders and operators. Occasional riders, like visitors, tourists, or people on infrequent regional trips no longer have to look up fares, get change, or purchase a farecard. Agencies no longer have to handle as much cash, speeding up boarding times and reducing physical labor costs."

"The new technology also allows new fare policies. Oakland's AC Transit has used the new technology to roll out fare capping, where a rider pays a regular fare each time they tap until they've reached the price of a monthly pass, after which additional rides cost nothing."

Read at Streetsblog California