Transit Mode

What is Transit Mode?

Transit Mode – referred to as Express Mode on Apple platforms – is a fast, efficient way to pay for public transit and public transport in many cities around the world.

Using a transit mode on your device avoids the need to authenticate with biometrics such as fingerprints or facial recognition when using supported trains, metros, trams, buses or other forms of transport.

This feature is provided by software on smartphones from most major manufacturers, including Apple, Google, Samsung, and more.

EMV Contactless

EMV Contactless stands for “Europay, Mastercard, and Visa”, the companies that created the contactless debit and credit card standard widely used today.

Europay and Mastercard merged in 2002, but the term “EMV Contactless” remains a common way to describe contactless payments, including those made via Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.

Names of Transit Mode on each platform

Transit Mode goes by slightly different names on each platform, with major platform names including:

Transit Mode Historical Names

Each platform has had various names for its transit mode functionality, which include:

Apple

  • 2019–2021
    • Express Transit Mode
  • 2021–present
    • Express Mode

Google

Samsung

  • Transit Card (US English)
  • Transport Card (British English)
    • Both of these modes describe the “Transit Mode” functionality for debit or credit cards, as well as the name of the digital transit/transport cards that can be stored in Samsung Wallet.

How to use Transit Mode

First, check that your local public transit operator supports Transit Mode.

For systems that support Transit Mode, such as London (United Kingdom) or Sydney (Australia), simply tap your phone as you would a contactless credit card or any other payment card.

Your phone will detect that this is a public transit terminal, and allow a payment without authentication that would normally be required for payments in stores.

For example on iPhone with Express Mode setup, there is no need to double-click the side button and authenticate with Face ID before tapping at the turnstile.

How to setup contactless payments on your device.

Transit Mode vs Transit Card

Transit Mode is a mode on phones and watches which allows a debit or credit card to be charged on public transport, without first authenticating. Using contactless debit or credit cards for transit is often referred to as an “open loop system”. Each platform has a distinct name for their transit modes – Express Mode and Express Pay being the most common two types.

Transit Cards are existing public transport smart cards, usually with prepaid credit, added to a digital wallet. Using a transit card – whether physical or digital – is referred to as a “closed loop system”. Samsung also uses Transit Card to refer to which bank card is setup for Transit Mode.

Some transit systems support both open and closed loop payments, while others support only one type.

Check before you travel: does your city support contactless payments and Express Mode / Transit Mode?

Is Express Mode Safe?

Express Mode on Apple platforms restricts payments to those at transit terminals such as train station fare gates, subway turnstiles, bus or tram validators.

The ability to pay without first unlocking iPhone is also limited to low value transactions.

The exception to this security exists for users of Apple Pay Express Mode on iPhone with Visa card. An open exploit exists for this combination of card + phone, which makes it possible for bad actors with physical access to iPhone to charge the Visa card without a PIN or FaceID.

This vulnerability does not impact users of other cards such as Mastercard, Amex, or Discover.

Is Express pay Safe?

Google Express pay is not vulnerable to the same exploit as Apple Express Mode.