09.06.15
TfL to be first operator to accept Apple Pay at launch
Transport for London is set to become the first transport operator to accept Apple Pay when it launches in the UK in July.
The technology manufacturer’s contactless service will make it possible for passengers to tap in and tap out using the iPhone 6 or Apple Watch in the same way as with a contactless credit or debit card.
The technology works through a NFC (near-field communications) chip found in the two newest iPhones and the Apple Watch to let users pay for goods by tapping their phones on contactless card readers.
But unlike contactless cards, Apple Pay includes an extra security measure called tokenisation. This ensures that the card details stored on a phone are never passed to the retailer. Instead, the payee receives a one-use “token”, which allows them to debit the payment but cannot be reused in future.
Apple Pay will be accepted on London Underground, trams, the DLR, London Overground, buses and most National Rail services in the capital.
Like contactless customers, those using Apple Pay will pay the same adult-rate pay-as-you-go fare as Oyster and benefit from an automatic daily or Monday-Sunday fare cap.
TfL's director of customer experience, Shashi Verma, said: “With around one in 10 of all contactless transactions in the UK now taking place on our transport services in London, we are delighted to welcome Apple Pay as another new and convenient contactless way for our customers to pay for their travel. I would encourage anyone who uses pay as you go to try contactless. There's no need to top-up, just touch in and out with your mobile device, credit or debit card.”
Over 100 million contactless journeys have been made on TfL services since September 2014, and contactless payment is now used on 17% of pay-as-you-go journeys.
(Picture by: John Minchillo / AP)
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