Contactless Payment is Coming to SLO Transit 

Tap2Ride. A Faster, Easier Way to Pay for Your Ride

SLO Transit is introducing Tap2Ride, a new contactless payment system that makes riding the bus easier, faster, and more convenient.  Riders will be able to pay their fare by simply tapping a contactless credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet when boarding the bus.

SLO Transit is launching Tap2Ride in coordination with regional partner RTA, bringing the same contactless payment system to transit services across San Luis Obispo County at the same time. This coordinated rollout creates a more seamless experience for riders, allowing for consistent fare payment whether traveling on SLO Transit or RTA, and supporting a more connected and user-friendly regional transit network. SLO Transit and RTA are also the first in the region to offer Regional Enrollment - meaning once a rider completes enrollment with one participating agency, they are automatically registered with all participating agencies, making it even easier to get started and ride across SLO County.

How Tap2Ride Works

1. Look for the contactless payment reader at the front of the bus.
2. Tap your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or smartwatch on the reader.
3. Wait for the confirmation beep or green screen.
4. Take your seat and enjoy the ride.

Riders should tap each time they board the bus and use the same payment method for every trip to ensure correct fare tracking.

Payment Methods Accepted

Tap2Ride will accept:

• Contactless Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards
• Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Other contactless-enabled mobile wallets
• Token Transit mobile passes (still available)
• Cash and existing passes (still accepted)

Each rider must use their own payment method when boarding. 

Fare Capping: Never Pay More Than You Should

Tap2Ride automatically tracks your rides and applies fare capping, which means:

• You pay as you go
• The system keeps track of your rides
• You will never pay more than the cost of a daily or monthly pass

This makes transit more affordable because riders don’t need to buy a pass upfront to get the best value.

Discounted Fares

Discounted fares is available for eligible riders, including:

• Seniors
• Medicare cardholders

Eligible riders can register their payment card on the Cal-ITP Benefits Portal to receive discounted fares through the verification system.

Is Contactless Payment Secure?

Yes. Tap2Ride uses the same secure technology as standard credit card transactions.

• Payment data is encrypted
• Full card numbers are never stored
• Personal travel information is not shared
• Transactions are processed through secure payment networks

This ensures safe and private payments for all riders.

Need a Contactless Payment Card?

Want to use Tap2Ride but don’t have a contactless card? Check out Bank On’s safe, low-cost bank and credit union accounts that come with contactless cards—making it easy to get started.

Riders Can Still Use Other Payment Options

Tap2Ride adds convenience, but riders can still choose to:

• Pay with cash
• Use Token Transit mobile passes
• Use existing passes

The goal is to provide more ways to pay and make transit easier for everyone.

Why SLO Transit is Introducing Tap2Ride

SLO Transit is working with regional partners to modernize transit payments and create a consistent system across San Luis Obispo County.

Tap2Ride will:

• Simplify paying for transit
• Speed up boarding
• Reduce barriers to riding the bus
• Improve convenience for residents and visitors

This coordinated effort helps make transit more accessible and user-friendly across the region.