Barcelona was a pioneer in eliminating cash payments on the TMB bus fleet during the first months of the pandemic. Thus, public transport could only be used with a multi-trip pass or ticket or by purchasing a single ticket through the mobile application. Now, single tickets can be purchased again on the bus in Barcelona, but not in cash, but with a credit card, a mobile phone, or a smart watch.
Last year, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona began a pilot test on lines V3 and 46, where EMV terminals were installed next to the driver that electronically collect the ticket when a contactless debit or credit card or a mobile phone is brought close. The transaction is, at the same time, proof that a valid ticket is available for travel in case of an inspection, as no printed ticket is obtained.
According to TMB, this system facilitates access for occasional users to public transport, avoids contact, and speeds up the service. Once the operation of this new payment method was validated on lines V3 and 46, it has been implemented throughout the bus fleet (1,070 vehicles) and, so far, half a million tickets have already been purchased with the new EMV terminals, with a "very high rating," according to TMB, by users. The purchase of single tickets, which cost 2.40 euros, is very minor, representing less than 2% of validations. The new terminals have been developed by Comercia Global Payments ---a CaixaBank subsidiary--- and Inetum.
"Barcelona is the first city in Spain where the single bus ticket is paid with a bank card as an alternative to cash and is one of the first major European cities to advance towards a totally digital and cashless payment system on board," highlights the public company chaired by Laia Bonet.