A few years back, I mentioned that Express Transit is a minor feature that has a significant impact, and during my recent spontaneous trip, I discovered that another Wallet app feature holds similar value.
The option to integrate foreign transit cards directly into the Wallet app before you even set foot outside your home is a true delight for travelers…
More and more cities worldwide are adopting prepaid cards as the primary method for residents and visitors to pay for their public transportation.
Notable examples include OMNY in New York, Oyster in London, Suica in Tokyo, SUBE in Buenos Aires, Opal in Sydney, Octopus in Hong Kong, among others. (Ironically, London now encourages users to move away from Oyster cards in favor of contactless payment methods.)
Most of these cards function similarly. You can use either a physical or a digital card, and in both instances, an app allows you to load money onto it. You can then tap the card or your iPhone or Apple Watch on contactless terminals for travel, with the fare deducted from your balance.
In certain instances, such cards are the only method for fare payment, which means that newcomers to the city must acquire one before they can explore. In some cases, fares are also cheaper when using the card compared to buying a regular ticket.
Acquiring one of these cards can be tricky in some cities. For instance, in Buenos Aires, you might theoretically find a SUBE card at any corner kiosk, but in reality, they’re often only available at major train stations, and even then, availability can be sporadic. I had an interesting quest to obtain mine during my initial visit, eventually having to pay a local in cash to borrow their card to board a bus.
However, many cities allow you to download the app, secure a card, and load it with funds before your arrival. This convenience ensures that you are prepared to hop on a train straight from the airport.
Apple’s Wallet app, however, takes it a step further. You simply open the app, tap the + button at the top right, select Travel Card, and search for your destination city. Adding the card and loading it up with some funds can be accomplished in just a few taps, and within about a minute, you’ll have a local transit card ready for immediate use upon arrival.
That’s exactly what I did during my last-minute trip to Toronto, Canada. I searched for the city, found the Presto card, added it, loaded some cash, and was all set to go. No complicated registration, no additional apps, just straightforward, instant access.
Considering how bureaucratic travel can become these days—what with having to scan passports for international flight check-ins, obtaining visas or visa waivers, downloading apps for expedited immigration processing, and so on—this feature is a truly refreshing pleasure.
Collage by DMN; background image by Chuttersnap on Unsplash
