Google Debuts Touchless Transit Payments

For those using Google Pay, transit payments may be on the verge of getting easier. Through a partnership with NXP's MIFARE, Katie Pyzyk writes, "Android users will be able to purchase fares through Google Pay, then place their device on a payment terminal to gain access to the transportation system. Google Pay will also show users transit maps and send digital travel history receipts."

Centralization is one advantage: "integrating with [Google Pay] makes it easier for users to rely on one central payment system instead of having to set up different accounts with different passwords and security checks for each service."

The option is now available for the Las Vegas Monorail, but similar systems are already in place in other cities, as well as internationally. "This is Google Pay's first foray into touchless transportation payments, but it plans to expand to other cities besides Las Vegas soon. Apple Pay already has touchless transit options in a few cities like Chicago and Portland, OR."