Chase (NYSE: JPM) and Visa (NYSE: V) have revealed that beginning on August 30, 2021, and through September, whenever riders tap on MTA subways or buses with their Chase Visa contactless cards, they’ll be donating $0.10 per tap, up to $250,000, to domestic non-profit New York Cares.
Whether you’re a resident or just a visitor to New York City, tapping to ride is a fast, convenient and secure way to get around New York. Riders who tap with their Chase Visa contactless cards may also start giving back or donating to domestic non-profit New York Cares, which is the biggest volunteer network in the city. It has played a key role in supporting the local community throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
Visa’s Future of Urban Mobility study reveals that nearly 90% (88%) of surveyed riders internationally are now expecting contactless payment options on transit. Currently, the tap-to-pay usage on MTA public transport has increased by over 225% since the beginning of 2021.
Riders who may feel comfortable with getting back to subways and buses will be able to get around by tapping their Chase Visa contactless cards. There’s no need to stand in lines to buy or load a separate MetroCard.
Running back, Saquon Barkley, is reportedly joining the initiative in order to give back to New York Cares by tapping to pay on the MTA with his Chase Visa contactless card.
Saquon Barkley stated:
“One of the things I’ve missed most about riding the subway in New York is the connection with my community—whether it be meeting fans, watching musicians perform on the platforms, or seeing new art in the stations—it’s those unexpected moments that make the experience standout. As we start returning to the subway, I’ll be tapping my Chase Visa card to ride, and to support New York’s recovery, because Chase and Visa will donate to New York Cares.”
Rory Wilson, VP of marketing strategy for contactless payments at Chase, remarked:
“The pandemic has taught us that we are all in this together, and New York Cares has done a phenomenal job of enabling New Yorkers to help each other out. We are proud to support their work.”
Wilson added:
“Chase has issued more than 50 million contactless debit and credit cards to customers and tapping to pay has emerged as one of the fastest growing trends in the payments industry. Chase saw a significant increase in customers who use tap to pay and tap transaction volume has grown 126% in 2021. Since Chase launched contactless cards, customers have made more than 1.2 billion tap to pay transactions.”
Mary Ann Reilly, SVP and Head of North America Marketing, Visa, noted that the popularity or widespread use of contactless payment options has been on the rise for a long time, and “as cities and transit operators continue to navigate pandemic-related challenges, riders expect tap to ride to be a regular part of their daily commute.”
Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares, said that they’re honored that Chase and Visa have decided to support New York Cares and “give back to the community at a time when the city and its residents really need it.”