Apple Pay for transit now operates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle, Washington, DC, and six other U.S. metropolitan areas, with Atlanta joining in March 2026 via its MARTA contactless system. Users can tap iPhones or Apple Watches at fare gates without unlocking devices, thanks to Express Mode, which bypasses Face ID or Touch ID authentication. This feature works on iPhone models from the iPhone 6s onward and Apple Watch Series 1 or later with watchOS 5.2.1+. Power reserve on newer iPhones allows payments for up to five hours post-shutdown.

Fare capping applies in some systems: New York’s OMNY limits weekly subway and bus fares to $35, with unlimited rides afterward on the same device. Los Angeles’ TAP and Orange County’s Wave systems also support capping. Cities like Chicago require specific transit cards (Ventra), while others accept credit/debit cards via the Wallet app. Global support includes London, Paris, and Tokyo, though local transit rules apply.

Device compatibility spans iPhones from 2016’s SE model and newer, with Apple Watches requiring updated watchOS. The feature simplifies transit payments globally, eliminating ticket purchases at kiosks. Apple’s [transit guide](https://learn.wallet.apple/transit/) details system-specific requirements. Express Transit cards can be selected in Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.

The rollout reflects Apple’s push to integrate Apple Wallet into daily logistics, competing with Google Pay and transit apps. Fare capping and power reserve features highlight efforts to enhance user convenience. Critics note reliance on NFC-equipped infrastructure, but adoption grows as cities modernize payment systems.