There’s a new and easier way to pay for bus and rail rides around the metro Denver area.

The Regional Transportation District now allows riders to tap their mobile wallets or payment cards at fare validators in a new contactless payment program called Tap-n-Ride, the transit agency announced Tuesday.

The Tap-n-Ride brings another option for travelers in addition to paying cash, purchasing through a ticket vending machine, buying a mobile ticket or preloading fare onto a MyRide account.

All other payment options will still be available, RTD said.

The contactless payment is currently only available for Visa and Mastercard credit, debit or prepaid cards.

RTD said it will add American Express and Discover cards next year.

It also allows mobile wallets through smartphones and smart watches through Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

“This new fare payment option is focused on removing barriers and offering customers a seamless, straightforward experience where they can simply tap and ride.” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD’s General Manager and CEO, in a news release. “With fare capping available, customers can feel confident they’re always getting the best fare on each and every trip.”

The Tap-n-Ride will function similarly to the MyRide card process, RTD said.

Travelers don’t need a MyRide account to purchase fares, though the agency said connecting the card can show trip histories and cumulative charges on the app.

Anyone who is eligible for a fare discount must have an RTD MyRide account to add the discount to their card token, the agency said, and then they can pay through Tap-n-Ride.

There’s one limitation to paying by tapping at the validator: fares can only apply to one person.

The card will act as a fare token that can be checked by a fare inspector using a handheld validator, meaning every rider has to have their own card or mobile wallet when checked.

Families riding together can use RTD’s Zero Fare for Youth program for children and teens under 19 years old, but each parent must use a separate card or mobile wallet if they want to tap to pay.

The transit agency said the process to introduce the contactless system began in 2022 to accommodate the trend of more travelers using digital payment options and following the implementation of its account-based ticketing and installation of its current validators.

RTD expects a 15% adoption rate for Tap-n-Ride in 2026, according to its analysis of other transit agencies that also implemented similar systems.