Apple has launched its Express Transit feature in London, which will speed up transactions for Apple customers when paying for tube, bus, overground and tram journeys on the Transport for London (TfL) network.
The current Apple Pay method uses biometric data to authenticate payment – in the form of FaceID or TouchID – and therefore takes longer than a contactless card or Google Pay.
However, Express Transit allows Apple users to designate a specific card for travel payment, which means they won’t need to authenticate payment when tapping in and out.
Express Transit works on the iPhone SE, 6S and all models above, as well as on the Apple Watch.
Furthermore, those with an iPhone XS or XR and above can use Apple Pay on the TfL network for up to five hours after their device has run out of battery charge.
Apple worked directly with TfL to integrate the technology into the barriers to ensure that the new payment mode is seamless and easy.
Nearly 25 million journeys in and around London are made using contactless technology every week, with one in five of those journeys made using a mobile device such as a smartphone or smartwatch.
Mike Tuckett, head of customer payments at TfL, said: “It’s great that we have been able to work with Apple to introduce Express Transit on Apple Pay for bus, tube and rail journeys in London.
“Through our pay-as-you-go fares system, we are committed to making travelling by public transport in London as simple and convenient as possible.”
