Google Pay introduces new visual tickets, tap-to-pay for Bay Area transit

By Derrek Lee
published

Google Pay 2020 logo
Google Pay 2020 logo (Image credit: Joe Maring / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • The Bay Area's Clipper Card arrives on Google Pay for easy transit payments.
  • Clipper Cards can be transferred from a plastic card to the app and easily reloaded.
  • Google Pay is also introducing new viewable transit passes.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) announced on Wednesday that Bay Area residents with Android smartphones are now able to use Google Pay to access their Clipper card and pay for transit.

Residents in the Bay Area will be able to transfer their existing Clipper cards to their smartphones using the new Clipper app that was also launched for Android. After launching the app and selecting the option to "Convert Clipper to Your Phone," users will just have to hold the card against their smartphone for it to transfer. From there, the card can be added to Google Pay for easy access.

If you don't already own a Clipper card, you can bypass the app and just add a new digital card straight from Google Pay. You will still need the Clipper app to add passes, but you can use either app to load funds onto the card, including auto-reload.

Source: Clipper Card

The best part about the new functionality is that it requires at least Android 5.0 (we're on Android 11 now, with Android 12 in beta) and a smartphone with NFC, which is equipped on most Android phones. That includes even the best cheap Android phones, although Motorola devices aren't supported due to "inconsistent experiences with Motorola phones."

It's important to note that the plastic card will no longer work once it's transferred to Google Pay.

In addition to the Clipper card, Google Pay is also bringing more visual tickets to the app. The feature allows users to save tickets to the app to activate immediately or at a later time. The transit agency sets the color of the visual ticket, which should make it easier for transit inspectors to recognize the pass from a safe distance (per social distancing). It's also not limited to transit and can be used for gyms, social events, and more.

Google Pay Visual Ticket

Source: Google (Image credit: Source: Google)

The new Google Pay is currently available in the U.S., India, and Singapore, "with new markets coming soon."

Clipper LogoBay Area transit
Clipper

Streamline your transit experience
The new Clipper app makes it easy to digitize your Clipper card for easy access on your smartphone. You can load money, set auto-reload, and even send your card to Google Pay for a quick tap-and-go transit experience.

Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee
News Editor

Derrek is a long-time Nokia and LG fanboy who loves astronomy, videography, and sci-fi movies. When he's not working, he's most likely working out or smoldering at the camera.

8 Comments
  • This is great for those who live in the Bay area. Now how about giving us a way to remove the OLD Google Pay?
  • I just wish they would simplify the new Google Pay app. It takes an extra step now to pay with anything other than the default card and instead of having my cards front and center they are pushing the social element etc. that they are hiding functionality and forgetting the basic premise that its primary purpose is to pay for things.
  • At least you've got the new app though. Most of the world isn't being given the choice.
  • You can't just uninstall it?
  • What about the DC Metro system (WMATA)? WMATA uses a Smartrip card. It's frustrating that Android users still can't use their phone to pay while Apple users have been able to pay since Sep 2020.
  • Agree on this or add in other agencies like mbta and the charlie card or path smart link card
  • As a San Francisco resident it was great being able to pay using the CTA transit app this past summer when I was in Chicago. Hard to believe the bay area is, at times, so behind in technology.
  • Would be nice if they rolled out the new Google Pay to more countries than, oh I don't no just The USA and India. Stuck on the bloody old one in The UK.