Patent ID: 8915431

Claim:
An apparatus for enabling a patron to access and utilize a transit system, comprising: a processor programmed to execute a set of instructions; a data storage medium coupled to the processor; and the set of instructions contained in the data storage medium, wherein when the set of instructions are executed by the processor, the apparatus enables the patron to access and utilize the transit system by authenticating a contactless payment device belonging to the patron presented at a transit system entrance gate; enabling the patron to enter and begin use of the transit system prior to initiating a pre-authorization process for a payment transaction based on the patron's use of the transit system; initiating the pre-authorization process for the payment transaction while the patron is using the transit system, wherein the pre-authorization process includes generating a pre-authorization amount for the payment transaction, wherein the pre-authorization process comprises a request for authorization for the transaction for a pre-authorization amount which is reserved from an account balance of an account associated with the payment device until settlement of the payment transaction; and authenticating the contactless payment device at an exit gate of the transit system,. wherein the authenticating the contactless payment device belonging to the patron presented at the transit system entrance gate and the authenticating the contactless payment device at the exit gate of the transit system ensures that the contactless payment device has not become invalid during the patron's use of the transit system.