• Subscribe
  • Magazine
  • 40 Under 40
  • Supplier's Directory
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
    1. Technology
    2. Fare Collection

    Google working with transit agencies to make Google Pay accessible everywhere

    Oct. 27, 2023
    Google is creating a new feature where Google Pay will show riders their ride history and how much they’ve saved from time-based fare caps; Google Pay is currently being used to pay for fares in more than 500 cities.
    Related To: Google
    Google
    Google Wallet open loop payment.
    Google Wallet open loop payment.

    In more than 500 cities, users of public transit pay for their ride with Google Pay. Google is working with transit agencies in cities of all sizes to make mobile payments a reality for more commuters around the world. 

    During the last few years, there has been a strong uptick of contactless and mobile payments across the transit industry, as riders sought out more touch-free ways to go about paying their fare. According to Google, nine in 10 public transit riders say they expect transit agencies to offer contactless options as a form of payment. 

    Increasingly, transit agencies around the world are adopting an open-loop payment system where people can use any payment card in their physical or digital wallet to pay for transit fare.  

    Google is creating a new feature where Google Pay will show riders their ride history and how much they’ve saved from time-based fare caps. Riders will also be able to receive updates directly from the transit agency so they have the latest information on service changes or delays. The new feature will begin rolling out later this year, initially available with Brighton and Hove Buses in the United Kindom, with plans to bring the feature to more cities next year. 

     

    Store digital transit cards, QR codes and barcodes in Wallet, too 

    In many cities, riders have to use a specific transit card for their commute. Working with transit agencies and other partners, Google Wallet makes it easy for riders in some cities to purchase and store their transit pass directly on your phone. Google recently started rolling Google Wallet out for transit riders in Madrid. Starting soon, riders in Seattle and the Puget Sound Region will be able to add their ORCA transit cards to Google Wallet.  

    Google Wallet is a way for riders to get their new transit card instantly, easily reload the card and set up auto-load. Riders can also view their real-time transit card balance and transaction history, all from the convenience of their mobile phone. 

    Additionally, some transit agencies simply ask riders to carry their ticket on them, presenting it to the driver while boarding the bus or a fare inspector passing through a train carriage. Many of these tickets can be saved to Google Wallet today, including SNCF in France, Hamburg HVV in Germany and Italo in Italy. 

    Buy tickets straight from Maps 

    Riders can find the best public transit route and the most convenient ticketing options from Google Maps. Google recently expanded the capability to support multi-leg journeys, as well as increasing the ticketing options available to users. If riders are taking a commuter train into a city and then using the city transit system like subways and buses, riders can purchase all of their tickets via Google Maps. The feature is available through more than 250 ticketing partners around the world.