Google Wallet is making travel in and around the Garden State a little easier. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced today that NJ Transit is the first public transportation agency to partner with Google Wallet, allowing riders on select routes the ability to tap their phones to pay for tickets.

"Our partnership with Google demonstrates that NJ Transit and the state are at the forefront of emerging technology, paving the way for further exploration of new customer service technologies," said Governor Christie. "I'm proud that New Jersey's public transportation system is the very first public transportation agency to partner with Google Wallet, joining thousands of retailers accepting Wallet across the nation."

Several large retailers have recently announced their acceptance of the Google Wallet, the NFC-enabled mobile payment product launched by Google in May. But NJ Transit is the first transportation system to accept the payment method. Transit systems have been at the forefront of testing mobile payments worldwide (as well as being an important part of the pilot programs for soon-to-be-launched Google Wallet competitor Isis).

"Transit has been a common element of every major successful NFC effort globally and is a critical component of Google Wallet's success," said Stephanie Tilenius, vice president of commerce at Google, in the announcement.

"Transit is the fastest way to accelerate adoption and reach usage density in major urban centers by habituating the behavior of tapping and paying with phones, and we're excited to launch our transit effort here with NJ Transit," Tilenius said.

According to the announcement, riders on NJ Transit buses and trains can use their Google Wallets to purchase tickets at New York Penn Station ticket vending machines and ticket windows; Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station (AirTrain); on bus route nos. 6, 43, 80, 81, 87, and 120; and on some buses on the 126 line.

NJ Transit, which links New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia, is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system and the third largest transit system in the country.

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