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Express Mode for Apple Pay now available on the Opal Network

Contactless payments are now easier and faster for public transport users in NSW with Express Mode for Apple Pay becoming available on the Opal Network for iPhone and Apple Watch.

Apple users who add their contactless credit card or debit card to their digital wallet can enable Express Mode to use when catching public transport.

The Express Mode upgrade to our Opal readers means you will no longer have to wake or unlock your device when tapping on. Just hold the top of your iPhone or display of your Apple Watch near the contactless reader to tap on at the start of your journey and to tap off at the end.

Even when your device needs to be charged, you may be able to use your Express Mode cards, passes and keys on your iPhone with power reserve. With compatible iPhone models, you may be able to use power reserve with some cards, passes and keys that have Express Mode turned on for up to 5 hours when your iPhone needs to be charged.

To enable Express Mode on your iPhone

  1. Open your Wallet app and select the card you want to use
  2. Tap the More button on the top right (displayed as three dots), then tap Card Details
  3. Tap the Express Travel settings or Express Mode
  4. Select the credit or debit card you want to use to pay for your travel

To enable Express Mode on your Apple Watch

  1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
  2. In the My Watch tab, select Wallet & Apple Pay
  3. Tap Express Travel Card and select the credit or debit card you want to use to pay for your travel
  4. Then authenticate on your Apple Watch with your passcode to complete

Express Mode for Transit is supported on iPhone and Apple Watch with Apple Pay, compatible with iOS 16.4 or later.

This technology rollout by Transport for NSW brings Apple users a similar feature to one Samsung phone users have been enjoying for some time. Samsung Pay Transit users can access this feature by opening the Samsung Wallet app and following the prompts.

For more information see Contactless payments.