Metro de Madrid will launch direct payment by bank card at its turnstiles starting next June 1, a measure that aims to speed up access and facilitate the movement of the millions of people who use this means of transport every day. Citizens will be able to access the subway using their debit, credit or prepaid card, or their mobile device, eliminating the need to purchase physical tickets or reload transportation cards. All you have to do is “tap”, that is, bring the card, smartphone or smart watches closer to the reader to make the payment.
The system aims to provide a more integrated and efficient experience
Jorge Rodrigo, Minister of Housing, Transport and Infrastructure of the Community of Madrid considers that the new system “It will improve the user experience by reducing waiting times, facilitating access and avoiding crowds in lobbies and vending machines, especially on days of high demand.”.
The new contactless payment system at turnstiles will be valid for bank cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or American Express, as well as for digital alternatives such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
In a statement, Mastercard points out that the new option will offer a more integrated public transport experience, by eliminating queues at ticket offices and vending machines and allowing instant access to platforms with a single touch of a card or mobile device. Also more efficient, by streamlining the flow of passengers within the stations and avoiding traffic jams, as well as by reducing fare collection costs.
Furthermore, the company highlights that the adoption of open payment in Metro de Madrid will act as a catalyst for tourism and the local economy by eliminating the need to acquire a transport card, which represents a fundamental entry barrier for the millions of foreign visitors who come to the city each year. On the other hand, according to Mastercard, the new payment method will also enhance urban sustainability by reducing dependence on paper tickets and plastic transportation cards.
“Being able to tap on the Madrid Metro is a very significant advance that will transform the travel experience in the capital“, commented Juan Pablo Vivas, General Director of Mastercard Spain. “We firmly believe that by simplifying access to the Metro network we not only improve the daily experience of Madrid citizens, but we also make Madrid an even more attractive and accessible destination for tourists, in addition to contributing to sustainability and boosting spending in the local economy, benefiting everyone.”.
For its part, Visa considers that collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to transform urban mobility, combining innovation, infrastructure and long-term vision. “This project together with Metro de Madrid will allow access to the metro to be as fast and easy as paying for a coffee, improving the user experience and reinforcing the international competitiveness of the city.”, commented Eduardo Prieto, General Director of the company in Spain.
The system has been presented at the Feria de Madrid station on Line 8, and is also being launched at a critical time for the capital’s infrastructure, since multiple social and cultural events coincide in the coming weeks, such as the Book Fair; Bad Bunny’s concerts at the Metropolitano between May 30 and June 15; or the visit of Pope Leo XIV, from June 6 to 9.
The initiative is funded by NextGeneration European funds. As explained by the Community of Madrid, it will be operational in 1,249 turnstiles distributed throughout the network. Of them, 470 are already intelligent and, in stations with previous models, at least two of them will allow this modality.
Furthermore, to encourage its use in the first weeks, the single ticket paid with this method will temporarily have a reduced price of 1.5 euros. In the first phase of deployment, the system will be available only for the purchase of single tickets.
