In the coming years, residents and visitors of Madrid can expect a significant update in urban transportation. Regional authorities have announced plans to introduce a modern fare payment system that will allow passengers to forget about traditional paper tickets and the need to top up transport cards in advance.
The core of this innovation is that to enter the metro or bus, it will be enough to tap a contactless-enabled bank card, smartphone, or show a special QR code at the turnstile. The payment for rides won’t be charged immediately—the fare calculation will take place at the end of the day. The system will automatically determine the most cost-effective fare for each user, taking into account the number and frequency of their trips.
Madrid authorities are allocating 40 million euros for the implementation of this project. The new system is expected to launch in 2027. Its foundation will be so-called Account-Based Ticketing (ABT)—a technology in which all of a passenger’s journeys are recorded in a digital profile. This not only simplifies the payment process but also offers additional features; for example, users will be able to track their routes, receive notifications, and manage their payment methods directly through their personal account.
The introduction of this system puts Madrid on par with major cities where such solutions have already become part of everyday life—for example, London and Singapore. In the future, new payment methods are expected to be added, along with the flexible adjustment of fares for different passenger categories and demographic changes in the region.
It is worth noting that this is not the only step toward digitalizing transport in the region. Last summer, a pilot project was launched to virtualize transport passes: four thousand volunteers tested an electronic version of the travel card on Android devices. In the coming months, a full rollout of this option is expected to be available to everyone.
Thus, Madrid is continuing its course toward modernizing urban infrastructure, focusing on convenience, technology, and a personalized approach for each passenger. Very soon, getting around the city will become even easier and more transparent, and traditional paper tickets will finally become a thing of the past.
