Skip to main content

Masabi underpins tap-in on Bilbao buses

Justride platform will provide validation of cEMV on Spanish city's bus network
By Ben Spencer March 4, 2021 Read time: 2 mins
Each tap will be €1.35 - the cost of a one-way ticket (© Bilbobus)

Masabi's Justride platform is being used to power a contactless ticketing solution for a bus service in the Spanish city of Bilbao. 

The project stems from an agreement with Bilbobus, technical services company Gertek and payment service provider Littlepay.

Masabi says the system is being piloted as a first step in bringing safe contactless payments, attracting locals and visitors back to public transport by allowing them to tap and ride on Bilbobus’ services.

Passengers can use their contactless bank card to pay for single bus trips, with each tap costing passengers €1.35, the price of a one-way ticket. 

Alfonso Gil, deputy mayor of Bilbao, says: “With this system, waiting times are reduced, possible concentrations of passengers when accessing buses are avoided, and the quality of service is improved.”

Masabi's Justride Validator (JRV) units – which support contactless EMV bankcards (cEMV) and smartcards – will provide onboard validation of contactless bank card taps.

According to Masabi, the JRVs can meet the demands of account-based ticketing, even in large cities, all at a price point that makes next-generation ticketing accessible to transport authorities and operators in towns and cities. 

For cEMV payments, Bilbobus is using Littlepay’s gateway services with acquiring bank services being supplied by Elavon.

Littlepay CEO Amin Shayan says: “Working together, we’ve created an end-to-end solution without the cost and complexity of building a platform from scratch.”

Related Content

  • November 2, 2016
    Masabi scoops UK mobile ticketing contracts
    Mobile ticketing supplier Masabi has been awarded two contracts in the UK, bringing mobile ticketing to students in the West Midlands bus passengers in Lancashire. National Express Bus will be deploying its end-to-end cloud-based mobile ticketing system, JustRide, across the West Midlands, allowing students to purchase monthly travel passes on their smartphones, providing a new option in addition to the term passes which are purchased in person from existing sales channels. JustRide comprises apps f
  • August 14, 2018
    Lurraldebus and Masabi launch mobile ticketing service in Spain
    Lurraldebus, the Spanish intercity public transport service operating in Gipuzkoa province, has launched a mobile ticketing service based on Masabi's Justride SDK platform. The solution is available in Spanish, English and Euskera and is intended to provide riders with a simple method for buying tickets. The LurTicket system allows passengers to download an app, developed by technology company Gerktek, which can be used to purchase tickets. Riders present the pass as an encrypted barcode to bus drivers.
  • November 16, 2023
    GMV to provide account-based ticketing for Cyprus buses
    Company will build on existing smart card system on 750 vehicles
  • May 17, 2021
    Dubai aims towards cashless transit 
    Dubai RTA and Visa are collaborating to improve the Nol card used on public transport