Rideshare platform Ola has announced the integration of Apple Pay as a payment method in New Zealand, a key feature of the company’s first significant overhaul of its international customer app.
The new Ola app has begun rolling out to existing customers in New Zealand, and the Apple Pay integration will reduce friction for new customers, who will not need to add a payment method if Apple Pay is already set up on their iOS device.
The integration with Apple Pay improves security for customers and puts Ola on the front foot with an evolving global payments landscape, such as the strong customer authentication (SCA) requirements which came into effect in the European market on September 14. SCA will ensure that electronic payments are performed with multi-factor authentication to increase security, and Apple Pay meets these requirements.
Leading the charge in the New Zealand rideshare industry, the integration is an important element of Ola’s first international app upgrade since launch, piloting in New Zealand prior to a global rollout.
Simon Smith, Managing Director of Ola Australia and New Zealand said: “We are proud to integrate payment technologies that improve security for rideshare users in New Zealand.”
“The wider app overhaul has been shaped by local customer research and we’re confident these new updates and features will not only create a more user-friendly, frictionless transportation experience, but future-proof our app as we expand our offering and integrate with other services.”
The app upgrade will be implemented on a rolling basis, with Google Pay integration, multi-stop trips and ride scheduling to launch over the coming months.
