The Government launches a pilot trial of the Single Public Transport Card on mobile devices for metro users
The first phase is aimed at metro users and is expected to be progressively extended to train services, TIB buses and EMT buses
The Government of the Balearic Islands, through the Mallorca Transport Consortium (CTM), has launched a pilot trial for the digitalisation of the Single Transport Card on mobile devices, which will be implemented in different phases. The first testing phase is aimed at users of Palma’s metro network.
This new application will make travelling more convenient, eliminating the need to carry a physical card. The Mallorca Transport Consortium is developing a new mobile application for public transport users that will improve passenger information and the overall travel experience.
One of its main new features is the virtualisation of the Single Transport Card. This functionality is currently in the testing phase and requires the collaboration of users to assess its performance and identify possible improvements before it is made available to all citizens.
For this reason, public transport users are invited to take part as volunteers, test the virtual card and share their experience with the Mallorca Transport Consortium. In this first phase, the pilot trial is aimed at users of the metro network who regularly travel on the M1 Palma – UIB – ParcBit line and who hold either a Single Transport Card or an Intermodal Card.
The plan is to progressively extend the trial to all users of the Single Transport Card or the Intermodal Card across the different modes of public transport, including the TIB network (metro, train and interurban bus services) and EMT Palma buses.
People interested in taking part in the trial can register through the form available on the tib.org website. Further information can also be found there.
Once the application has been reviewed, and provided that the applicant meets the established criteria, they will receive an email a few days later with instructions on how to download the application. During the trial period, participants will be contacted to evaluate their experience.
The new mobile application for the public transport network is compatible with Android devices (version 6.0 or later) and iOS devices (version 17.6 or later) equipped with NFC technology.
The virtualisation of the Single Transport Card/Intermodal Card forms part of the technological innovation projects promoted by CTM to improve the service provided to users across the island’s entire public transport network.
Within this framework, initiatives related to data management and the improvement of the operational support system are also being developed. These will make it possible, for example, to know in real time the location of buses and their occupancy levels. At the same time, work is underway on transport integration solutions between administrations and operators, such as the recent fare and technological integration with EMT Palma.
This set of initiatives represents an investment of €3 million, financed through the European Next Generation funds under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.