Visa has formed an alliance with Metrolinx to provide tap to pay option to travellers on GO Transit and other transit systems in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada.
The partnership has already rolled out the option on UP Express, offering contactless payment solution to Visa credit card holders. Owner of devices such as smartphone or smartwatch will also be able to use the option to pay for their rides.
This tie-up is aimed at providing transit riders with fast and secure payments solutions as well as improving the public transit sector that still uses pre-loaded payment card or requires queuing up at kiosks as modes of payment.
Visa tap to pay can be used on any PRESTO device while travelling via GO Transit and UP Express without buying or loading a different transit card.
The latest partnership follows a previous alliance between Visa and TransLink for Metro Vancouver.
Visa Canada VP and head of product and digital Brian Weiner said: “Transit is essential for so many and we believe in the importance of making the riding experience as seamless as possible.
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By GlobalData“Now, Visa cardholders can enjoy the convenience of tap to pay on their commute, just as they already do with their morning cup of coffee.”
Visa noted that contactless payment enables transit travellers to save time by offering a flexible payment solution.
According to a Visa report, 32% of public transit riders said they would opt for public transit system if they were offered contactless payments options.
The report also found 50% of the riders viewing convenience as the main advantage of contactless payment.
In order to help transit operators worldwide, Visa’s Global Urban Mobility division has already provided improved travel tools in Bangkok, Thailand; Fukuoka, Japan; among others.