Madrid leaps into the future: the metro accepts card payments from June

A revolution in Madrid's public transport

The Community of Madrid has announced an innovative measure that will transform the experience of metro travellers. From June 1, users will be able to access the facilities using bank cards, both credit and debit, eliminating the need to purchase a transport card in advance. This advancement not only promises to speed up access to the platforms but also aligns with current trends in mobility and technology.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Housing, Transport and Infrastructure, Jorge Rodrigo, at an event held at the Feria de Madrid station. During his speech, Rodrigo highlighted how this new system will facilitate daily commutes for over two and a half million travellers who use the metro each day. The implementation will take place at a total of 1,249 turnstiles distributed throughout the network, ensuring that at least two turnstiles per station are enabled for this mode.

In addition to card payments, devices capable of validating tickets via QR codes will be introduced. This option will expand the available alternatives for users and allow for greater flexibility when accessing public transport. The goal is clear: to reduce congestion and improve flow at particularly busy stations.

The launch of the system strategically coincides with significant events that will attract thousands of visitors to Madrid, such as the anticipated visit of the Pope between June 6 and 9, as well as the Spanish Grand Prix of Formula 1 scheduled for September. These key dates will be a crucial test to assess the effectiveness of the new system and its ability to handle large passenger flows without issues.

To encourage immediate adoption of the new method, a special promotion will be launched during the first weeks. Single tickets purchased through this system will be priced at a reduced rate of 1.5 euros. Although initially this functionality will be limited to single journeys, it will still be compatible with traditional tickets issued by the Regional Transport Consortium (CRTM).