Electronic Payment Card Now in Use for Caracas Metro
As planned, this Monday, March 1, the sale of electronic payment cards for the Caracas Metro System began. According to the Minister of Transportation Hipólito Abreu, the launch was successful despite complaints from some users who claimed there weren’t enough sale points, or about vending machines not functioning.
“The sale of electronic payments cards has been successfully started at @metro_caracas,” Abreu posted on twitter. “The system was developed with national engineering to further advance the digital economy. The card includes 20 trips, the recharge will have a value of 20 thousand Bs [bolivars] per trip.”
#1Mar Inicia con éxito la venta de las tarjetas de cobro electrónico en @metro_caracas. Sistema desarrollado con ingeniería nacional para avanzar aún más en la economía digital.
La tarjeta incluye 20 viajes, la recarga tendrá un valor de Bs 20mil por pasaje.
VENCEREMOS! pic.twitter.com/u3XVuHLpV3
— Antonio Abreu (@HAbreuMRT) March 1, 2021
As of today users can purchase the Smart Card with 20 pre-loaded trips at a cost of Bs 900,000, payable using terminals, cash, Biopayment or cryptocurrencies.
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The card is available in the booths of the following subway stations: Chacaíto, Chacao, Altamira, Miranda, La California, Petare, Palo Verde, Propatria, Plaza Sucre, Gato Negro, Agua Salud, Capitolio, La Hoyada, Bellas Artes, Plaza Venezuela, La Paz, Teatros, Rental Zone, La Bandera, El Valle, La Rinconada, La Yaguara, Antímano, Las Adjuntas and Zoologico.
#DeInterés || #HOY #01Mar @metro_caracas inicia la venta de tu #TarjetaInteligente, por un costo de 900.000Bs y con saldo disponible de 20 viajes, adquiérelas en las Casetas de las estaciones#SistemaCobroDePasaje#IndependenciaTecnológica#PorAmorAlMetro pic.twitter.com/g2JUt1l9ag
— Metro de Caracas (@metro_caracas) March 1, 2021
Passengers will also have access to automated card-reading terminals to check their balance, according to Metro de Caracas officials.
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Simultaneously, this Monday the activation of the electronic fare payment system was also planned for the Ezequiel Zamora railway system, on the Valles del Tuy (Miranda)-Caracas line, also using the Carnet de la Patria and IFE Card.
¿Sabes cómo y cuánto es el monto de recarga de tu carnet de la patria, tarjeta ife y boleto ocasional ? En @ifetrenvzla te informamos como hacerlo. ¡Seguimos avanzando en la consolidación de la Gran Misión Transporte Venezuela! pic.twitter.com/Ovn58XJB4F
— ifetrenvzla (@ifetrenvzla) February 27, 2021
The cost of the trip is 20 thousand bolivars, equivalent to approximately one US cent at the current exchange rate.
Over the course of the last several years the Caracas Metro system has witnessed a diminishment in efficiency—particularly the previous payment system. The illegal US blockade, bad management and corruption have affected the quality of the system. In addition, regular fare adjustments are needed to keep the system operational under the hyperinflation affecting the Venezuelan economy.
Featured image: New electronic payment card in the Caracas Metro. Photo courtesy of Metro de Caracas.
(Ultimas Noticias) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SL
