The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is introducing Tap-n-Ride, the agency’s new fare payment option that provides a "quick, secure, and convenient" way for customers to pay their fare at any validator.

Customers can now tap a Visa or Mastercard credit, debit, or prepaid card, or a Visa or Mastercard loaded into a mobile wallet, directly on a bus or rail validator to ride.

Mobile wallet payment options include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, and are available on a mobile phone or a smartwatch. RTD plans to add American Express and Discover card options to its Tap-n-Ride program in 2026.

The addition of this technology allows riders to forgo using a ticket vending machine (TVM), carrying cash, visiting a sales outlet, buying a mobile ticket, or preloading fare into their MyRide account.

According to an agency release, all other existing fare payment methods will remain available for customers. Tap-n-Ride just provides an additional option that functions similarly to the agency’s MyRide card process.

“The introduction of Tap-n-Ride provides an experience that is easy to navigate, equitable, and accessible for everyone who relies on RTD,” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD’s General Manager and CEO. “This new fare payment option is focused on removing barriers and offering customers a seamless, straightforward experience where they can simply tap and ride.”

A Faster Tap for Riders, a Bigger Shift for Transit

For other U.S. agencies, a Tap-n-Ride system receives payments from validators via a certified, secure open payment system, and transactions are processed without storing card numbers.

RTD’s move reflects a broader industry shift toward open-loop, contactless fare payment, as agencies modernize systems to speed up boarding, reduce cash dependence, and give customers more flexible ways to ride.

For riders, a benefit of linking a credit, debit, or prepaid card to their MyRide account is the ability to view their trip history and daily cumulative charges in the account. Customers who do not use a MyRide account can view aggregate charges for their fare purchases on their bank statement.

Plus, Tap-n-Ride limits purchases to one card or mobile wallet per customer to enable transfers and fare capping, ensuring customers always pay the lowest possible fare.

Scaling Contactless: RTD’s Systemwide Launch

RTD’s ability to provide Tap-n-Ride was made possible in 2022 with the introduction of account-based ticketing and installation of the agency’s current validators. This allowed customers to load stored value to their MyRide accounts and tap the digital barcode or MyRide card on the validator to pay their fare.

Account-based ticketing enabled the agency to add the new, accessible Tap-n-Ride payment option as a convenience for paying fares. Fare validators are on board 952 RTD fixed-route buses and are available at 235 stations across the district.

As more people learn about and use the simple and accessible Tap-n-Ride payment option, RTD will seek customer feedback to refine the experience as needed and address any challenges early to promote its ease of use.

RTD plans to promote the new fare payment option in the coming months and anticipates a 15% adoption rate for 2026 based on an analysis of other transit agencies that offer a contactless payment option.