Buses in São Paulo Will Accept Certain Debit, Credit and Prepaid Cards

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Beginning next Monday, September 16th, São Paulo residents will be able to pay for their bus travel by contactless credit, debit and prepaid cards, using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

Mobile devices with NFC (wristband, sticker, or watch tag) and mobile payment technology will also be accepted. Initially, the system will accept Mastercard, Visa, and Elo.

The pilot project to modernize the means of payment of fares will be carried out in 200 vehicles and 12 lines, which serve about 2.9 million passengers per month. The choice of lines was made with the objective of serving all regions of the city, as well as terminals, subway stations, and avenues with a large flow of tourists.

The announcement of the project was made this Thursday, September 12th, with the presence of the mayor of São Paulo, Bruno Covas, accompanied by the Secretary of Mobility and Transportation, Edson Caram, and the president of SPTrans, Paulo Cézar Shingai. For the mayor, the project will be revolutionary. “I have no doubt that it will help to revolutionize the system of the city of São Paulo”.

The operation is similar to the one carried out with a single ticket by bringing the cards or devices close to the reader next to the turnstile. The machines in the pilot project groups are adapted to read these new means of payment. The fare is also the same, R$4.30; however, the user will not be entitled to free transfers to other lines, a right of those who use the single ticket.

According to the secretary of Mobility and Transport, the goal is to replace payments made with cash. “This system is to replace payment in cash, and, for the person or for the tourist, who, instead of buying the single ticket, will pay by card.

Traditional credit or debit cards, having only a stripe or chip, cannot be used. Only those with NFC and mobile phones will work and can be used to pay through Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. This type of payment is called contactless.

Source: Agência Brasil

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