5 ms·
My local transit system just added tap-to-pay that works with any credit card (or Apple/Google Pay etc.). As long as you use the same card it handles transfers,
by organsnyder 3y ago
My local transit system just added tap-to-pay that works with any credit card (or Apple/Google Pay etc.). As long as you use the same card it handles transfers, multi-day passes, etc. seamlessly as well—it will automatically ensure you're getting the correct rate (e.g. no charge for passes or rides after a certain number within a certain period).
- snazz 3y agoThis is how it works in London and I think New York as well now. Big upgrade over loading money on a card.
- fotta 3y agoClipper-accepting agencies in the SF Bay Area will have this next summer too.
- femiagbabiaka 3y agoWoah. Where can I read more?
- pests 3y agoYep this was how it was in New York City. I was there a few months ago and remember the subway being free or reduced after 10 trips per week - tracked by the credit card number used.
- monksy 3y agoThis system really sucks because you can't just slide your wallet over the reader. It'll pick up your cc before your transit pass. The move to do tap based transit with cc s is pretty stupid as that cc s get replace far more frequently than transit cards. The only person this really benefits is new users to the system that haven't figured out how to get a transit card yet.
- gumby 3y agoTransit card is simply another thing to haul out, manage etc. What advantage does it have over a cc? Also with it baked into your card you don’t have to pull anything out since your phone is almost always at hand.
- skykooler 3y agoThis sort of system is really nice for visitors, tourists etc., though.
- ghaff 3y agoFor a city you don't visit often--especially if you're going to a bunch of cities on the trip--dealing with transit apps/cards/etc. that are specific to the city is a royal pain. I'm fine if it's a city I visit regularly--I have an Oyster card for London that I've had for a number of years. In general, though, I'd rather default to using a credit card.
- mdpye 3y agoYou can safely return that oyster card and get your deposit back now :D I live in London and recently passed a convenience store whose signage advertised the usual stuff: "Fresh veg. Off licence. European specialty foods. Oyster". I was genuinely confused for a second that such a place would carry such short shelf life seafood... Pre-pay card are gone here. The only people I know now who have an Oyster branded card are those who get discount or free travel.
- ghaff 3y agoI guess I’ll use it up and get my deposit next time I’m there. Actually looks like I can just get a refund. Occurs to me Oyster may still make sense for travelers whose credit cards have foreign transaction fees.
- seanmcdirmid 3y agoIn Japan at least, IC cards seem to be accepted at most cities in the country. Eg you can get a suica card (on your phone) and use it in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Not to mention at 7-11 and most vending machines.
- vermilingua 3y agoMy only gripe with this mode (with Opal in Sydney) is that you don’t get the trip fare displayed on the gate when you pay with a payment card. I imagine this is a technical limitation (Opal stores trip detais on-card, which it can’t do with a payment card), and is a low priority anyway (as you don’t need to know when to top up a payment card) but would be nice to have.
- obelos 3y agoMy city's transit system has this. It's convenient for if you're traveling alone, but traveling with kids now requires more logistics and planning than it used to. Their former electronic pass system was just an app that allowed you to activate any number of adult and child fares all on the same device. Now I have to carry separate physical cards for the kids.