How to enable Apple Pay Express Mode for Singapore MRT

It has been a long wait, but Apple Pay Express Mode appears to have quietly arrived in Singapore, giving iPhone and Apple Watch users a much quicker way to pay for MRT rides.

Formerly known as Express Transit in some markets, the feature lets you hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near a compatible fare reader to pay for your journey without the need to double-click the side button, unlock your device, or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.

There is, however, a rather big catch: Express Mode does not appear to work across the entire MRT network yet. Based on reports from HardwareZone forum users, the feature began working around 28 August and is currently limited to selected stations and newer-generation fare gates. It is also not yet supported for bus rides.

Users have reported successful Express Mode transactions at stations including Bukit Panjang on the Downtown Line, Bukit Panjang LRT, Ang Mo Kio, Newton, City Hall, and Boon Keng. There have also been reports of it working on parts of the Thomson-East Coast, Circle, and North East lines, suggesting that availability is tied more closely to the fare gate hardware and software than to specific MRT lines.

We also tried Express Mode and, like some early users, found the experience to be slightly slower than the usual authenticate-and-tap method.

How to enable Express Mode

To set it up, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Express Travel Card and select your preferred payment card. Once configured, you can simply tap your iPhone or Apple Watch against a compatible reader to enter and exit the MRT.

For now, consider Express Mode a work in progress in Singapore. Until it is officially rolled out system-wide, you may still need to authenticate at some fare gates, and you’ll still need to do so when taking the bus.

Source: HardwareZone Forums, Apple