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Singapore MRT Adds Apple Pay Express Transit for Faster Rides

Rashida Alhassan·August 31, 2026·2 min read

Apple Pay Express Transit is now available for MRT rides in Singapore, according to a report from The MileLion. The feature, which was announced on Monday, August 31, 2026, lets commuters tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to pass through fare gates without needing to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.

The MileLion reports that the rollout covers the city-state's Mass Rapid Transit system. With Express Transit mode enabled, riders can hold their device near a card reader and move through the gate instantly, even if the device's battery is low, as long as power reserve mode is active. The payment is processed automatically through the default transit card stored in Apple Wallet.

This move aligns with Singapore's broader push toward seamless contactless travel. The Land Transport Authority has previously supported contactless bank cards and mobile wallets for fare payment, and adding Apple Pay Express Transit extends that convenience to a wider group of iPhone users. The MileLion notes that the feature is particularly useful for commuters who want to avoid fumbling with physical cards or unlocking their phones during peak hours.

apple pay

For now, the service is limited to MRT rides, and it remains unclear whether bus services or other transit modes will receive the same treatment in the near term. Commuters should also verify that their transit card is set as the default in Apple Wallet and that Express Transit is toggled on in the Wallet settings before heading to the station.

What to watch next: whether Apple Pay Express Transit expands to Singapore's bus network and whether other regional transit systems follow suit.

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