Since yesterday, not having cash is no longer an impediment to travel on the green buses of four municipalities of the Community of Madrid: San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Torrejón de Ardoz, Pozuelo de Alarcón and Arganda del Rey have since last Tuesday with the option of payment by bank card in their intercity buses.
The measure, long awaited by the users of the service, will allow those who use these buses to pay their single ticket through contactless, either with their physical bank card or through their cell phone.
With this, the Madrid government wants to take a further step in the digitalization and modernization of public transport in the region so that it reaches all modes of transport.
When will payment by bank card reach the entire network?
The four municipalities chosen to debut payment by bank card on intercity buses will be followed, early next year, by the following, according to the Ministry of Housing, Transport and Infrastructures:
- Móstoles
- Rivas Vaciamadrid
- Torrelodones
- Valdemoro
- Tres Cantos
- San Sebastián de los Reyes
- Alcobendas
Last September’s forecast for its implementation in the entire network is maintained, so it is estimated that this system will be in operation in all interurban vehicles by June 2025.
This form of payment is currently available on EMT buses and, as for the metro, since last November devices with Android 7.0 system can use the digital payment for 10-trip tickets, tourist tickets and the airport supplement. In addition, work is already underway to make it a reality in the subway turnstiles from 2026.