Madrid to launch account‑based ticketing system for public transport

The Community of Madrid has approved a €2.7 million contract to support the rollout of an account‑based ticketing (ABT) system that will let passengers pay for Metro, bus and Cercanías services using bank cards, smartphones or other digital devices. The new platform will automatically calculate the most advantageous fare for each rider and is slated to become operational in the last quarter of 2027.

Indra, the Spanish technology firm, is simultaneously upgrading the Metro’s fare‑collection hardware, installing 1,200 new readers at 800 turnstiles. The upgrade is intended to streamline passenger flow and improve payment efficiency, complementing the broader ABT rollout and aligning Madrid’s transport network with similar systems in cities such as London, New York, Toronto and Singapore.