The app called ‘Tarjeta Transporte Virtual‘ works on Madrid’s metro, commuter train and bus systems and is now available to download and use for the first time.
It’s currently only available for the 10-trip tickets, tourist tickets and the airport supplement. Those users who use the bono cards will have to wait a little longer for the app to incorporate these too.
The app can be downloaded by users who have smartphones with the Android 7.0 operating system or higher and is available from the Google Play Store.
Those who have the iOS system will also need to wait, but it is thought that it will be available sometime next year.
“Currently, the Regional Transport Consortium (CRTM) is working so that in 2025 the monthly personal bono cards will also be available, which would achieve total digitalisation, facilitating its widespread use, including iOS technology,” confirmed the Madrid Minister of Transport, Jorge Rodrigo.
Madrid’s transport card is going digital. Photo: EMT
How does it work?
Once installed and activated the card will live in your Google Wallet and can be used from there. First, however, you will need to register your bank details and purchase your first 10 trips.
- In order to do this you need to click on the side panel and then on ‘Registrar Tarjeta’, this is where you’ll enter your bank card number, expiration data and CVC number.
- Once this is done, click on accept. A charge of €0 will be made to the app to make sure your bank details are correct and working properly.
- The next step is to purchase the ten-trip metrobus or tourist tickets. When paid for you’ll find the virtual card and credit in your Google Wallet.
- In order to use the card at the metro gates or on the bus, select ‘Multi Digital’ from the app and simply place it close to the digital card reader.
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Throughout the different test stages carried out, a total of 19,400 users have used it making more than 588,500 trips.
“During the next six months, the download of this application for smartphones will be free,” said Transport Minister Rodrigo.
It isn’t known yet if the app will have a charge in the future or how much it will cost, but if you do have an Android phone and want to use the digital cards, it’s a good idea to download it within the next six months.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the new app is not to be confused with the similarly named ‘Tarjeta Transporte‘ app which already exists in order to recharge physical cards, but cannot be used for travel itself.
