RTD bus and train riders can now pay by tapping their credit cards

Regional Transportation District officials on Tuesday launched a credit card tap-and-pay system designed to make taking public transit as easy as buying groceries and coffee — “a seamless, straightforward experience” they hope will help boost lagging metro Denver ridership and revenue.
RTD chief executive and general manager Debra Johnson inspected the system at an electronic “fare validator” panel west of Denver’s Union Station.
Riders can pay for their trips using credit cards or mobile wallets scanned into panels adjacent to drivers on 952 RTD buses and at 235 train and bus stations across the district’s 2,342-square-mile metro Denver service area, which spans eight counties.
First-time and occasional riders, perhaps visitors in Denver for Broncos football games, will find RTD with this “Tap-N-Ride” payment system more convenient, Johnson said.
“You can use whatever is in your wallet,” she said. “The flexibility and the ease of payment will entice those who might have trepidation about using our system.”
The number of riders on RTD buses and trains is lagging. This year, agency records showed a decline, with about 40 million fewer riders per year compared with six years ago. RTD executives’ newly proposed $1.3 billion budget for 2026 does not include funds for boosting bus and train frequency — widely seen as crucial for ridership.
This week’s rollout of credit card tap payment puts RTD on par with other major public transit agencies that offer that option in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon.
RTD board chairman Julien Bouquet anticipated the new system would not only increase ridership but also help the agency raise revenues. Bus and train fares cover about 4.9% of RTD’s operating expenses.
Over the past year, RTD transit police and contract security agents have stepped up enforcement to make sure riders pay. Police making checks — they made more than 460,000 last month — can use a handheld validator device to check a rider’s card or device and verify whether the rider paid as required.
“Our main drive as a board is increasing ridership,” and the tap payment option will make the system more accessible, Bouquet said.
“People want a more welcoming transit environment. That’s what the directors want. It’s going to be an easier experience for you to pay for that ticket. If we can generate more revenue, that’s a plus. We’re in a pretty tight financial situation coming into 2026.”
Riders can still use cash or pre-loaded funds available via RTD’s “MyRide” accounts to pay for their transit. Those choosing the new tap payment system can skip buying tickets at vending machines and rely on a quick, secure and convenient transaction using Visa or Mastercard credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards or mobile wallet cards such as those provided through Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
Agency officials said they’ll add American Express and Discover card Tap-n-Ride options in 2026.
RTD police officer Leon Duran said riders who board without paying and are caught may be asked to leave trains and buses. Transit police can issue tickets with a penalty of $86 for nonpayment. Johnson noted that the handheld devices that let police quickly check whether a rider paid can also be used to collect funds.
“It gives a less confrontational way of having somebody pay their fare without embarrassing someone,” she said.
The agency’s elected directors included funds for setting up the credit care system in the RTD’s record-high $1.2 billion budget for 2025. The RTD is funded mostly by residents of the eight metro Denver counties who pay sales and use taxes.