One of the most common questions we get from riders who pay for their rides by tapping their phone’s mobile wallet or a credit/debit card to a Hop reader is “How does TriMet know that I paid my fare?”
Tapping to pay your fare with your phone or a credit/debit card is easy, but it can make a fare inspection feel a bit like a mystery. If you’ve ever wondered how we verify that you’ve paid your fare when you tap, this is the blog post for you!
Tell us if you’ve ever experienced this: You’ve tapped your Hop card, phone, credit/debit card to a Hop reader to pay your fare, you’re riding the bus or MAX and a Customer Safety Supervisor asks you to present your fare. They’re holding a fare scanning device, but how do they know you’ve paid your fare?
How fare scanners work
Inspectors carry handheld devices that scan your Hop card, credit/debit card or phone to make sure you have a valid fare. The device instantly confirms your payment with our Hop network.
The devices have a reader just like the green Hop readers onboard buses or at a MAX platform. When your physical or mobile payment card is tapped on the fare inspection device, the card’s tapping history is verified, just like it would be with a standard physical or virtual Hop card. The device will show the inspection result on the screen with either a green checkmark if your fare is valid or a red X if the card has not been tapped recently. It’s a quick and easy process that takes just a few seconds.
Tap and listen for the beep
Tapping is your proof of payment. When you tap the Hop reader, you’ll hear a beep and see a green check mark. This means you’re good to go for unlimited rides on bus, MAX and Portland Streetcar for 2 1/2 hours.
Remember to tap the Hop reader every time you board a bus or train (including when you transfer). If you tap again after 2½ hours, you’ll be charged for a second fare. You’ll also automatically earn a Day Pass — which means you can ride as much as you want for the rest of the day until 3 a.m. So remember, you won’t necessarily be charged every time you tap, but your tap is your proof of payment.
No Hop card needed
Let’s be really clear: You don’t need a Hop card to ride TriMet. You can pay the $2.80 Adult Fare instantly by tapping your phone, contactless payment-enabled smart watch, debit card or credit card.
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Tap your phone or contactless payment card on the Hop reader as you board to instantly pay the $2.80 Adult fare.