Apple Pay coming to select US transit agencies later this year

March 26, 2019
Transit riders in New York, Chicago and Portland will be able to use Apple Pay later this year to pay for their fares.

Your phone or your watch may be all you need to pay a transit fare in New York City, Chicago and Portland later this year with news that Apple is bringing its Apple Pay feature to the select transit systems in the United States. 

Apple Pay is used by several global transit systems including several locations in China, Russia, all of Japan's transit that accept Suica and Transport for London. 

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will be one of the first U.S. transit agencies to debut the Apple Pay function through its Ventra Card, which can be used on CTA buses or trains and the area's Pace suburban bus service. 

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Dorval Carter released a statement, “Chicago is proud to work with Apple to elevate the experience of CTA riders. New Ventra Cards on iPhone will build on the strength of the existing Ventra system to make commuting in Chicago even easier and more convenient, and help modernize America’s second largest mass transit system for the 21st century. When one of the world’s most inventive cities teams up with one of the world’s most innovative companies, great things happen.

An iPhone-compatible Hop card is also planned for TriMet's service area, as is an iPhone-friendly fare for New York City Transit. 

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content. 

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.