Mastercard and Mexico City launch digital pass for public transport

Starting in November, Mastercard in association with several banks will offer tap-and-go debit cards, which qive users quick access to Mexico City’s metro and bus systems.

As part of the plan, Mastercard will introduce software in stations and stops, which can read the cards.

A refillable transport ticket, currently available, allows as many as 25 trips.

But to buy the card or a single-trip ticket, a user must pay cash, which can involve lining up at booths in the metro, or the getting exact change for a bus.

Mexico City’s subway and principal bus networks carry nearly 6 million passengers a day.

In the past two years, Mastercard in association with BanColombia, has created the Maestro debit card for use in the transportation systems of Bogota, Barranquilla, Cali and Medellin.

Mastercard operates payment-processing networks in more than 200 countries and territories.