Seattle and Philadelphia are among the cities adopting open-loop contactless fare payment systems for their public transportation networks. This move is part of a broader trend toward modernizing transit systems to improve convenience, efficiency, and accessibility for riders. The latest news about Seattle & Philadelphia open-loop contactless payments find out below.

Users in the greater Philadelphia and Seattle regions will soon be able to pay for their fares using their contactless bank card or NFC device.

Philadelphia Open-loop contactless payments

• System: SEPTA Key is evolving to support open-loop payments.
• Technology: Similar to Seattle, riders can use contactless credit/debit cards or mobile wallets to pay for fares.
• Benefits:
  • Enhances convenience for riders by reducing reliance on physical transit cards.
  • Streamlines the boarding process, reducing delays.
  • It attracts more riders by offering a modern, user-friendly payment option.
• Implementation: SEPTA has been testing and rolling out open-loop payments, with plans to expand the system across its network.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has awarded a US$211m contract to Cubic Transportation Systems to design, install, and operate a contactless, digital public transport ticketing system for five counties in the Greater Philadelphia area.

The SEPTA Key 2.0 system will provide new functionality compared with the existing contactless smart card-based transport ticketing system, including virtual cards to support equity-focused fare policies. It will also be more reliable and easier for customers to use, according to SEPTA. The transport authority’s website, mobile application, and call center are to be enhanced as well.

“SEPTA’s current fare payment system is outdated and overdue for an upgrade. It was designed more than a decade ago, and as this technology continues to rapidly evolve, SEPTA must make this critical investment now,”

says Kenneth E Lawrence Jr, Board Chair, SEPTA.

The contract award follows SEPTA’s trial of an open-loop contactless fare payment system enabling passengers to pay for their journeys with their physical or digital bank card. The system is due to be fully operational in 2029.

Seattle Open-loop contactless payments

• System: ORCA (One Regional Card for All) is transitioning to support open-loop payments.
• Technology: Riders can use contactless credit/debit cards, mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay), or smart devices to tap and pay for fares.
• Benefits:
  • Eliminates the need for a separate transit card.
  • Simplifies fare payment for tourists and occasional riders.
  • Integrates with existing ORCA card system for seamless transitions.
• Implementation: The system is being rolled out in phases, with full integration expected in the coming years.

On the other side of the US, meanwhile, travellers in Seattle and the wider area covered by the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority are a step closer to being able to tap to pay with their contactless bank card.

The Joint Board of the One Regional Card for All (ORCA) public transport system has approved a move to incorporate Tap to Pay on iPhone and NFC as the next step in the myORCA contactless transport ticketing solution that launched in 2022.

Why Open-Loop Systems?

• Convenience: Riders can use payment methods they already have, like credit/debit cards or smartphones.
• Interoperability: Open-loop systems can work across multiple transit agencies and cities, making travel easier for commuters and tourists.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for transit agencies to issue and manage proprietary cards.
• Future-Proofing: Prepares transit systems for emerging payment technologies and trends.

Travellers are already able to store a digital version of their myORCA travel card on an Android device. The new Seattle and  Philadelphia open-loop contactless payments will allow travellers to use their contactless bank card to pay their fares.

The system will be implemented by systems contractor INIT ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup when the city will host six matches.