Seattle's transit system is set to enhance fare payment options with a new feature called "Tap to Pay," enabling riders to use credit cards and smartphones for seamless transactions. This upgrade, which will be available on Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, aims to simplify transit for tourists and occasional users who may not own an ORCA card.
A soft launch for this feature is planned for February 2 on the G Line, a bus rapid transit route, before expanding throughout the system later that month. This initiative is timed to coincide with the upcoming World Cup and the introduction of a new light rail line in Seattle.
The integration of this technology was developed in collaboration with Init, a German tech firm, and utilizes Visa's Mass Transit Transaction payment model. Initially, riders using the Tap to Pay feature will incur a flat fare of $3, without transfer options to other transit services. Once fully implemented, the system will mirror the current transfer policies for ORCA cardholders.
However, it is important to note that this new payment option will only support adult fares and will not accommodate reduced-fare programs. Fare inspectors will be responsible for verifying payments by requesting the payment card from riders.