You can now ride MTS by using tap-to-pay

Driving the news: MTS is in the final phase of testing its "contactless payment system," which is up and running on all MTS buses and trolley stations.

• The North County Transit District, which operates the Coaster commuter rail, will join the final testing phase later this week.
• The agencies aim for an official launch by week's end — ahead of their goal of having it in place before Comic-Con, which runs July 25-28 — MTS spokesman Mark Olson said.

How it works: Riders can tap their credit card or phone to buy a regular adult fare for $2.50.

• That includes any additional rides within a two-hour transfer window of the first purchase.
• Riders looking to take advantage of reduced fares — such as seniors — or to purchase monthly passes still need to use the PRONTO app.

Flashback: Last September, the agency's board spent $1.2 million to add contactless payment — now common on other transit systems — and anticipated it launching by April, putting them a tad behind schedule.

What's next: MTS plans to eventually incorporate fare capping — a system that lets riders tap as they go before automatically billing them for the best available price.

• That would let riders take three separate rides in a day but only be charged for a $6 day pass instead of $2.50 for each ride, for instance. But that's not part of the initial rollout.