The Metropolitan Transport Authority (TMB) plans to expand next year the direct payment with credit card to access the public transport network. The measure, which has been in operation since 2022 on Barcelona buses, will allow access through the T-Mobilitat validators to the metro, railway, and buses network that do not yet allow it with the purchase of a single ticket, which is for personal use and does not allow transfers to other means of public transport as the rest of the transport passes do.
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A statement from the ATM assures that it is a formula designed for “occasional users, visitors, and tourists” and that its implementation will not mean any further changes for regular public transport travelers in Catalonia. The body formed by the Generalitat, the Barcelona City Council, and the Metropolitan Area have put out to tender the banking services and the payment platform necessary to implement direct access, which already works in other major cities.
The system, the statement indicates, will allow buying and validating a single ticket by bringing the card close to the T-Mobilitat terminals, although the functionality will have to be developed to make it possible to recognize transport use in different zones, which implies a higher cost for the user.
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The terms of reference establish a maximum period of three months from the signing of the contract until the execution of all integration, tests, and necessary certifications. The progressive deployment will depend on the satisfactory completion of the entire process, but it is expected to be launched next year.