Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni has announced that the government will allow public transport fares to be paid with debit cards and virtual wallets.
Though he provided no specific date for the start of the new system, the bus, underground or train fare may be paid via contactless payment methods (debit, credit or virtual wallets), said Adorni.
The intention of President Javier Milei's administration is to break the monopoly of the SUBE card, which may still be used, though they will not be the only method to pay. A government decree has ended the monopoly of the card, managed by Nación Servicios, and opened up the discussion for new tools and technologies which must be within reach of all users.
“The government has made the decision to liberate the payment system in public transport; this of course happens in other cities around the world, where people can pay with their phone or credit card,” Adorni stated at his usual press conference.
In the same vein, he explained that the “SUBE pcard] would not cease to exist, but will be one of users’ choices. To us it still has a key role to supervise the services rendered by bus companies and their expenses."
As stated, the measure is “not only about simplifying a service created 15 years ago which still depends on top-ups at a kiosk, but a federalisation of the system."
In order to finalise it, it must repeal Decree 84/2009, which implemented the SUBE Sole Electronic Fare System which was left in charge of Banco Nación.
The devices will be located on buses and train and underground stations, and drivers must accept any bank cards, debit, credit or prepaid ones – there will be no kind of exclusivity, said Adorni.
In the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area alone, there are nearly 350 transport companies, which is why the government expects there to be more than one firm to offer the card reader and payment processing service.
– TIMES/NA
– TIMES/AFP
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