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Express Mode on iPhone and Apple Watch now Available on SEPTA Bus & Metro

Published , and updated

Reader upgrades to enable Express Transit began to roll out on July 22 across SEPTA Bus and Metro, making it easy and more convenient to ride with Apple Pay throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. With Express Mode enabled for debit or credit cards, riders don’t need to wake or unlock their iPhone or Apple Watch or even open any apps to pay and ride on SEPTA Bus or Metro — all users have to do is hold their Apple device near a reader to securely pay with Apple Pay.

Once a user has chosen which debit or credit card they’d like to use with Express Mode, they can simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to an enabled reader to ride.

Reminder to avoid card clash! Remove any cards that are kept near your iPhone before using Apple Pay to ride.

Security & Privacy

Riding SEPTA with Apple Pay takes full advantage of the privacy and security built into iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple never tracks users’ journeys, and when customers add a credit or debit card to Apple Wallet, the card information is encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the information safely on the device. If a user’s iPhone or Apple Watch is misplaced, the owner of the device can promptly use the Find My app to lock and help locate the device.

iPhone and Apple Watch Express Mode FAQ

You will need iPhone SE, iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, or later, with iOS 12.4 or later, or Apple Watch Series 1 or Series 2, or later, with watch OS 5.2.1 or later.

Yes. Just make sure that you have added a payment card to your iPhone and Apple Watch and enabled Express Mode. You can add a card to Apple Watch with the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Remember to use the same device to tap on and off when paying with Apple Pay.

Only one card will ever be charged at a time. To ensure that only your chosen payment method is charged, always keep your physical cards separate from your Apple devices when paying to ride SEPTA Bus or Metro using Express Mode.

No. Express Mode can only be used on SEPTA. Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode will still be required when using Apple Pay at other locations.

No. You can only use a credit, debit or pre-paid card to pay with Express Mode using Apple Pay.

Express Mode is available on bus, trolley, Broad Street Line [B], Market-Frankford Line [L], and Norristown High Speed Line [M].

No, contactless is for single-rides only and follows the same pricing and rules as Travel Wallet.

You may be able to use your Express Mode cards on your iPhone even when your device needs to be charged. With compatible iPhone models, you might be able to use power reserve with some cards that have Express Mode turned on for up to five hours when your iPhone needs to be charged.

To see the cards available for use with power reserve, press the side button or the Home button when your iPhone needs to be charged. However, pressing the side button or Home button often may reduce the power reserve significantly. If you turn off your iPhone, this feature won’t be available.

No. Apple does not charge any fees when you use Apple Pay.

Find additional information on other forms of contactless payments offered across SEPTA Bus and Metro, including how to use and FAQs. Paying for your ride with contactless debit and credit cards is also expected to roll out on Regional Rail this fall.