A Transit Revolution Taps In
The first time I used my phone to ride the New York City subway, it felt like stepping into the future. I tapped my device against the glowing reader, saw the green light, and pushed through the turnstile. No MetroCard. No fuss.
Now, after more than two decades, the iconic yellow-and-blue MetroCard is being phased out. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will stop selling it by the end of the year. In its place, NFC-equipped credit cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay have become the new currency of the underground.
The Rise Of Open-Loop Systems
New York’s OMNY system has been around for a few years, but many other cities are just catching up. Recently, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) introduced its own tap-to-pay system, joining major networks in Philadelphia, Chicago, San Juan, and Washington, DC.
These cities are adopting what’s known as “open-loop” fare payment—where riders can use their existing bank cards or mobile wallets instead of purchasing dedicated transit passes. It’s faster, more convenient, and in many ways, more modern.
London and other global cities have been using similar systems for years, showing that tap-to-pay could be a key to modernizing public transportation worldwide.
Convenience Meets Skepticism
Despite the promise, not everyone is on board. Some riders worry about privacy, data tracking, and technical hiccups at the turnstile. Others simply miss the tangible comfort of a physical card.
Transit agencies also face challenges. Upgrading infrastructure costs millions, and not every city has the budget—or the political will—to modernize fare collection systems overnight.
Still, contactless systems can reduce maintenance costs, speed up boarding, and improve accessibility for tourists and occasional riders. Those are powerful incentives for agencies struggling to win back passengers post-pandemic.
Can Tap-To-Pay Save Public Transportation?
That’s the big question. Transit ridership has struggled to recover fully since 2020. Remote work, rising fares, and service cuts have created a cycle of decline. But tap-to-pay technology could help reverse the trend by making transit feel effortless again.
When people can pay with the same tap they use at a coffee shop, it removes friction—and friction is one of public transit’s biggest enemies. Riders want simplicity, and open-loop systems deliver just that.
For cities hoping to rebuild trust and ridership, convenience may be the secret weapon. Contactless payments won’t solve every problem, but they might make catching a train or bus just a bit easier—and that’s where recovery begins.
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