From September this year, Barcelona metro users will have a new payment system. They will now have the option to validate their single tickets using their bank cards directly at the turnstiles. This change represents a significant transition towards digitalization and convenience in the city’s transportation system.
With this development, the Barcelona metro is taking a step into the future with the implementation of a new payment system that could revolutionize the way passengers purchase their tickets.
The new payment system is based on a validation technology known as “contactless”. This means that passengers will no longer need to print out a physical ticket or worry about having cash on hand to pay for their subway ride.
Instead, they will be able to use their bank card, cell phone or smart watch to pay for their ticket quickly and easily.
The implementation of this technology is not completely new in Barcelona, as it has been successfully used in the bus network of Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB). The expansion of this system to the subway represents a logical step towards the modernization of the city’s entire public transportation system.
New payment system revolutionizes the Barcelona Metro
At the moment, the new payment system is being tested in some metro stations, such as Barceloneta on line 4. This allows the authorities to evaluate its effectiveness and gather feedback from passengers prior to full implementation.
As the testing phase is completed and rolled out to all metro stations, commuters will be able to enjoy greater convenience and efficiency when purchasing their tickets.
The operation of the system is simple. Passengers only need to bring their bank card, cell phone or smart watch to the ticket reader at the entrance of the metro stations.
The reader will validate the payment of a single ticket automatically and seamlessly. This contactless technology is fast and secure, which means that passengers can access the metro efficiently and without delay.
One of the notable advantages of this new system is the elimination of the need to print physical banknotes. This has significant benefits for both passengers and the environment.
Passengers will no longer have to worry about carrying cash or printing tickets before traveling, which will simplify their metro experience.
Another important aspect is that instead of presenting a physical ticket, passengers only need to provide the last four digits of the bank card they used to validate their ticket.
