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Since September 2023, SEPTA riders have been able to tap-to-pay with any bank card on buses, trolleys, and subways. As of today, regional commuters will enjoy the same convenience.* You can read SEPTA’s press release and full FAQs here.
How does contactless payment on SEPTA work?
With SEPTA’s new system, you can pay for transit the same way you’d buy a coffee or tap into a concert—by using your own credit or debit card. It’s as easy as touching your card to the card reader, or your phone or smartwatch to the reader if you have Apple/Google/Samsung Pay. You no longer need a SEPTA key card to pay for your ride, or any transit card for that matter.
Pro tip: Apple’s “Express Mode” allows you to pay for fares with an iPhone or Apple Watch by simply tapping the reader, without even unlocking your phone. We recently trained the entire Jawnt team on this feature at our New York City retreat, and it’s been a game changer for many members of the team who no longer get stuck in turnstiles trying to unlock their phones. To learn more about how to set it up, check out SEPTA’s Express Mode FAQs.
Why Jawnt is excited about SEPTA’s transition to contactless payments
At Jawnt, we’re in the business of making it easier for people to get around their cities and believe that open loop contactless fare systems are the way of the future. We’re excited for our users to benefit from these improvements too. With the Jawnt Pass, riders can simply tap-to-pay at their SEPTA stop without worrying about worrying about SEPTA key cards or paper tickets.
Our team rode regional rail on opening day to test out the Jawnt Pass, and it worked great! You can check out live footage on the Jawnt Instagram.
Want to test out open loop payments on Regional Rail but not sure where to start?
Here are a few of our team’s favorite routes from the city (reach out to us if we’re missing your favorite!)
- Lansdale/Doylestown Line: Ride all the way down the line to Doylestown for the Saturday’s farmers market, cute shops, and a small-town vibe.
- Chestnut Hill East or West: Enjoy a perfect nature + charm combo. Hit the Wissahickon for a hike, then grab lunch at a neighborhood café.
- Media/Wawa Line: Hop off in Swarthmore to bop around a picturesque college campus and town that will make you feel like you are much farther from the city than you actually are.
- Paoli/Thorndale Line: Head to Malvern and bike your way around Valley Forge National Historical Park (just a quick journey via bike or rideshare from the station).
- Manayunk/Norristown Line: Take the train out to Manayunk for a canal-side stroll, then grab an Indego bike and cruise back on the Schuylkill River Trail.
Thanks for reading and happy tapping!
*A quick note for our friends who commute from New Jersey or on Amtrak: SEPTA riders can’t use contactless payment at Trenton or West Trenton stations yet, but validators are coming soon.
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