Tap N' Ride Logo

A Faster, Easier Way to Pay

Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsun Pay logos

San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) now offers Tap N’ Ride, a new contactless way to pay your fare using your credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet — no cash, paper passes, or app required. With Tap N’ Ride, boarding is faster, payment is simpler, and you always get the best fare automatically.

How It Works

Rider tapping a debit card on the bus validator using Tap N' Ride for quick and easy fare payment.

1. Tap your card, smart watch, or phone on the validator when boarding the bus.

Bus fare validator showing a green checkmark confirming a successful Tap N Ride payment.

2. Listen for the beep and watch for the green light to confirm your payment.

Smiling rider seated on a bus after paying with Tap N Ride, showing a smooth and stress free transit experience.

3. Ride! Receive the best fare capped price, find your seat and enjoy your ride.

Tip: If your card has the contactless symbol NFC Logo, it can be used to Tap N’ Ride.

What Is Fare Capping?

Fare capping is an automatic way to save money. Tap N’ Ride keeps track of what you spend and ensures you never pay more than the cost of a daily or monthly pass. When you reach the fare cap, the rest of your rides are free for that day or month — no pre-purchase required.

Example:
• After you spend enough for a day pass, the system stops charging you for more rides that day.
• Keep riding as much as you want — you’ve reached your cap!

Important: To make the most of your savings, remember to use the same card or mobile wallet for every trip.

Tap N’ Ride links rides from the same payment source to calculate your fare cap. If you switch cards or devices, the system will start fresh and your previous rides will not be counted toward the cap.

✅ Same card = savings that add up | 🚫 Different cards = separate accounts

Why You’ll Love Tap N’ Ride

Contactless “Pay” symbol representing faster boarding with Tap N' Ride on the bus.

Faster Boarding

Just tap and go — no waiting for change.

Contactless signal icon representing simple and easy Tap N' Ride fare payments.

Simpler Payments

No need for an app, account, or pass.

Dollar sign icon representing automatic fare savings when using Tap N' Ride.

Automatic Savings

Fare capping ensures you never pay more than you should.

Shield with checkmark icon representing secure payment technology used for Tap N' Ride.

Secure Technology

Payments are processed through an encrypted network.

Credit and debit card icon representing Tap N' Ride as an accessible payment option for everyone.

Accessible For Everyone

Works on all Local, Express, Hopper, and Commuter routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you step onto the bus, look for the small validator near the front door. Hold your card or phone flat against the reader until you hear a beep or see a green light. That lets you know your fare was accepted.

Contactless means you do not need to swipe or insert your card. You just tap your card or phone near the reader and the payment goes through securely.

No. You do not need to download an app, create an account, or sign up anywhere to pay your regular adult fare. Tap N’ Ride works automatically with your existing Visa or Mastercard.

Tap N’ Ride works with Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards. You can also use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay on your phone or smartwatch. Discover, American Express, EBT cards, and bus passes are not supported at this time.

That is okay. You can use a physical credit or debit card as long as it has the contactless wave symbol on it.

Fare capping means you never pay more than the cost of a day pass or monthly pass. Tap N’ Ride automatically tracks how much you spend using the same card or phone. Once you reach the price of a day or monthly pass, the rest of your rides during that time are free.

No. Tap N’ Ride is an additional way to pay, not a replacement. This technology is already widely used in stores and transit systems across the country, and we’re bringing it to RTD to give riders more flexibility and choice.

Try holding your card or phone flat against the reader for a second. If it still does not work, let the driver know and pay with cash or another accepted method for that ride.

Yes. Tap N’ Ride uses the same secure technology used at stores and other contactless payment systems. Your card information is not stored on the bus and is processed through secure banking networks.

Reduced fares are available for riders who qualify, such as seniors, riders with disabilities, and other eligible groups. To use a reduced fare with Tap N’ Ride, there are a few required steps:

1. Review the Reduced Fare Criteria to make sure you qualify, 2. Complete the DFC application, 3. Create a JustRide online account, and 4. Call Customer Service to activate. Until your reduced fare is confirmed, please continue using your current reduced fare pass or approved payment method.