Bilbobus fits contactless technology to its buses

Passengers in Bilbao will now be able to use bank cards to pay for trips

Bilbobus has today announced that they have deployed a contactless ticketing solution for Bilbao’s metropolitan bus service. The pilot will allow passengers to simply tap their contactless bank card when boarding the bus.

The system, powered by Masabi’s Justride platform, is being piloted as a first step in bringing safe contactless payments to passengers in Bilbao, attracting locals and visitors back to public transport by allowing them to simply tap and ride on Bilbobus’ services.

The operator says the new system, will give passengers the freedom to use their contactless bank card to pay for single bus trips, with each tap costing passengers €1.35, the price of a one-way ticket.

“With the launch of this pilot, Bilbao continues in its efforts to adapt, renovate and facilitate access to Bilbobus, implementing all possible improvements,” said Alfonso Gil, Deputy Mayor of Bilbao and Councillor for Mobility and Sustainability assured.

“With this system, waiting times are reduced, possible concentrations of passengers when accessing buses are avoided, and the quality of service is improved. In this way, trips on Bilbobus become more agile and, above all, safe.”

Bilbobus also collaborated with payments company Littlepay on the project, which it’s hoped will help modernise Bilbao’s bus network. The operator runs 28 major lines and eight night lines, named Gautxori, serving the biggest city in the Basque country.  

“As a city, Bilbao has won plaudits and a global reputation for its transportation and urban environment,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO at Masabi. “Public transport is at the heart of every city, but in Bilbao it really has been core to its transformation.

“We’re proud to be working with the City of Bilbao and our partners at Gertek, Littlepay and Mastercard to bring a world class transport ticketing and payments experience to the people who live, work and visit the city.”