Lisbon Metro Launches ‘Tap and Ride’ System to Revolutionize Payment Experience
The Lisbon Metro in Portugal has embraced the latest technology by introducing a convenient ‘tap and ride’ system, allowing commuters to use their credit and debit cards for fare payment, according to Tom Bleach, The Fintech Times. This move brings the Lisbon Metro in line with some of the world’s leading transportation networks, marking a significant step towards modernizing the city’s transit payment infrastructure.
In collaboration with transit payments specialist Littlepay, Metro de Lisboa aims to encourage the use of public transport by simplifying the payment process. The partnership has enabled residents and tourists in Lisbon to effortlessly tap their everyday payment cards to access the metro system. Notably, commuters will be charged the most favorable fare based on their journeys, eliminating the need for pre-purchasing tickets or calculating the best value in advance.
Littlepay, in conjunction with ticketing hardware specialist Indra, provides the core transit payment service for this initiative. Indra manages the validation of devices, while Cybersource, a payments and fraud management firm, and Unicre, a credit card service provider, take the lead in local acquiring services.
Paul Griffin, head of commercial at Littlepay, emphasized the flexibility of the company’s approach, stating, «Letting clients choose their own hardware is an integral part of what we do. If an authority wants us to integrate with a specific validator or card reader, we are more than happy to do it. This keeps us flexible and gives transit authorities the freedom to personalize the infrastructure according to their needs.»
The ‘tap and ride’ system covers the entire metro network of Metro de Lisboa, encompassing 56 stations across four metro routes. With an annual ridership of 173 million, this advancement promises a more seamless ticketing experience for locals, professionals, and tourists alike. By eliminating the need for cash, app downloads, or paper tickets from ticket vending machines, the new system simplifies the journey for passengers.
Ariel Casado, the regional manager of Western EU at Littlepay, expressed confidence in the future enhancements to the passenger experience, saying, «We’re confident the move to contactless EMV will improve the passenger experience across the metro network and even in the whole Lisbon transit, in the near future. It’s been a fantastic journey, working with the Metro de Lisboa team in paving the way for more ticketing developments.»
The introduction of the ‘tap and ride’ system by the Lisbon Metro marks a significant milestone in the city’s transit payment infrastructure, offering a more efficient and user-friendly experience for commuters. With this forward-thinking approach, Lisbon is setting an example for other cities worldwide, demonstrating the power of embracing innovative technology in the transportation sector.