Payment options for public transportation now include contactless methods
The modernization of public transportation in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area continues with the introduction of the Tap&Ride payment system. This innovative solution, aimed at improving the passenger experience and encouraging the use of public transportation, was presented on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, on several bus lines.
Rui Lopo, administrator of Transportes Metropolitanos e Lisboa (TML), explained that Tap&Ride is part of a larger strategy to build a more modern and intelligent mobility system. The system is designed to simplify payments, eliminating the need for cash or pre-purchased tickets, making travel more convenient for passengers.
The event was attended by key figures in the transportation and local government sectors. Carlos Humberto de Carvalho, the first metropolitan secretary of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, was in attendance, along with Rui Lopo, Nuno Piteira Lopes, vice-president of the Cascais City Council, and Teresa Mesquita, executive administrator of SIBS.
Carris Metropolitana currently operates in four areas, each concessioned to different private operators. Area 1 operates in the municipalities of Amadora, Oeiras, and Sintra, operated by Viação Alvorada. Area 2, operated by Rodoviária de Lisboa, covers Loures, Mafra, Odivelas, and Vila Franca de Xira. Area 3 operates in Almada, Seixal, and Sesimbra, operated by Transportes Sul do Tejo, and Area 4 is managed by Alsa Todi.
The Tap&Ride system is similar to the payment system already available on the Lisbon Metro. Passengers can now use bank cards with contactless technology to pay for fares on lines 1633 (Ericeira - Portela de Sintra), 2727 (Oriente Station - Loures), and 3701 (Almada - Algés).
The expansion of Tap&Ride to other lines will occur gradually over the coming months, with new activations happening weekly. The first bus lines to receive this system include: line 1624 (Cascais Terminal - Portela de Sintra), line 2769 (Lisbon - Santo António dos Cavaleiros via Cidade Nova), and line 3001 (Almada - Cacilhas).
Teresa Mesquita, executive administrator of SIBS, stated that the project aligns with SIBS's mission of making life simpler through easy, fast, and secure payments. SIBS, a company involved in the project, believes that Tap&Ride will be an essential element in the intermodal mobility of the metropolitan region.
The Tap&Ride service expansion on Carris Metropolitana bus lines is planned to roll out progressively, with full implementation aimed by the end of 2025. Initial phases focus on key lines and high-traffic routes during 2024, followed by gradual integration across the entire network through 2025. Specific dates for each line may vary depending on technical setup and local coordination efforts.
For more precise, up-to-date details, I recommend checking official announcements from Carris Metropolitana or the local transit authority, as they often publish detailed rollout schedules.
The Tap&Ride system, a pioneering development in transportation payment solutions, aligns with SIBS's mission in finance and technology, simplifying and securing payments for passengers. This systematic implementation in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area's public transportation network, including the metro and bus lines, is expected to encourage finance-friendly and tech-savvy commuting habits within the industry.
