Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the addition of Apple Pay and Masterpass digital wallet technology to MTA eTix, the mobile ticketing app that enables Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road customers to purchase their tickets anywhere, anytime.
Starting tomorrow morning, customers of these services will be able to use both services to purchase one way, round trip, ten trip, weekly, CityTickets — as well and monthly passes —through MTA eTix.
“We have worked tirelessly to rebuild and reimagine New York’s transit system for the 21st century and a key part of those efforts is to incorporate the amenities that modern day riders demand,” Governor Cuomo said. “By adding the use of cutting edge technology like Apple Pay and Masterpass, we are not only making mass transit easier to use, but are also improving the overall experience of riders.”
Earlier this summer, Governor Cuomo announced that MTA eTix, which had been scheduled for completion by the end of 2016, would be accelerated so the riders of both railroads would be able to use the app by the end of the summer. The roll out began on June 30 with the LIRR Port Washington Branch and Metro-North Hudson Line. It then became available on Metro-North’s Harlem Line on July 25 and finally became available on the rest of the LIRR and Metro-North’s New Haven Line on August 22.
MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast said, “We’re pleased to welcome both Apple Pay and Masterpass to the eTix experience. We believe that the addition of these secure payment options will help us to do an even better job of meeting the needs of our customers, and we look forward to further building the user-base for the app in the weeks and months ahead.”
Apple Pay
The addition of Apple Pay to the MTA eTix app for Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road provides a convenient option that eliminates the need to type in any credit card numbers, billing info, or security codes to complete a transaction. Apple Pay is easy to set up and users will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by credit and debit cards.
To use Apple Pay in the MTA eTix app, a customers simply selects the ticket or pass they wish to purchase, selects “Pay with Apple Pay” and completes the payment using the Touch ID feature.
Security and privacy are important Apple Pay features. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element on your device. Each transaction is authorized with a one-time unique dynamic security code.
Apple Pay Vice President Jennifer Bailey said, “The New York commute just got that much easier thanks to Apple Pay in the MTA eTix app. Now you can skip the line entirely to buy train tickets right on your iPhone.”
Apple Pay works with iPhone 6 and later.
Masterpass
Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road riders can now choose Masterpass as a payment option within the MTA eTix app on any iOS or Android device. Masterpass securely stores all card details, from the consumer’s chosen Mastercard or other network branded card, allowing for quick and simple payment.
Masterpass, a digital payment service from Mastercard that enables consumers to look no further than their own trusted bank to make fast, simple and secure digital payments - across devices and channels - anywhere they want to shop: online, in-app, and in-store using contactless technology. Masterpass helps make the process of buying a ticket with MTA eTix easier than ever, and leverages the most advanced methods of payment security available today.