Tap-to-pay system already available on Porto public transport

This is just the beginning, the roll out of the service will reach all parts of the transit network by the end of 2022

As of 22 July, passengers riding on Porto’s STCP Bus Line 500 and Line E of the Metro can pay their fares by simply tapping the installed readers. That means that commuters will no longer have to top up their Andante (Porto transit) passes before getting on that bus or subway line.

With ‘Tap-to-Pay’, users can experience more seamless journeys, paying the trips by tapping their contactless debit, credit or prepaid card or the payment-enabled device, such as a smartphone. There is no need to carry cash, queue for tickets or understand the local ticketing system. That means, that the digital upgrade will also benefit tourists and business travellers to the city.

Developed before the pandemic, the system is now even more spot-on

The new system is being gradually introduced to the city’s public transit network. The first Metro line to benefit from its implementation is the one leading to and from the international airport. However, the transit authorities have promised that in the coming months the tap-to-pay devices will also be installed in the other subway lines. By the end of 2022, they will be present in the entire STCP bus fleet and CP-Porto trains.

Each trip on the Metro airport line and on the STCP Bus Line 500 will cost €2.00 and tickets will be valid for 1hr and 15 minutes. During this period, passengers can freely change at participating stations, regardless of the number of boardings.

On both Metro and STCP, passengers using the system will enjoy automatic best-value fares, meaning they will never pay more than €7.00 (the cost of a daily ticket), no matter how many journeys they make during the day.

The hope is that the simplicity of this payment method will play a vital role in promoting the use of public transport in Porto, enabling better and more environmentally sustainable mobility for residents and tourists.