The Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) integrated the tickets of all operators more than 20 years ago and created the popular T-10 that for almost two decades many citizens have carried in their wallets. Now the goal is for everyone to carry a T-Mobility in any of its formats. The new general manager, Manuel Valdés, has put the plastic card on the back of his iPhone case.
Android phone users can now validate with their mobile, when will iPhone users like you be able to?
If it were up to us, it would already be available. The technical developments are already done, but Apple does not allow transport tickets to be entered in its Wallet, it only accepts directly commercial items.
Other cities have succeeded…
No, they do it by using bank cards; it is not directly that of public transport, as we intend. We have made allegations to Brussels because it is being discriminated against Apple users. And we’ve also spoken with the company’s teams in California. In Paris they have the same problem.
When do you expect to complete the deployment of T-Mobility?
T-Mobilitat is not the contactless card by itself, it is the technological system behind it to offer a series of services that were unthinkable with magnetic tickets. This year it will be fully implemented with all the functionalities that are not yet implemented. For example, two titles can be carried on the same card.
The final objective of T-Mobility is the disappearance of the zones to switch to a mileage system. When will this be?
It’s another stage, the next phase. I consider myself satisfied if this year we finish the implementation in the Barcelona area with the already known titles and start the deployment in the rest of Catalonia. This can certainly be overlapped. And when everything is in place, then we can focus our efforts on seeing how the change to the kilometer rate is made.
Is the model already defined?
Yes, the basic documents with the general guidelines have been drawn up, it just needs to come, but first the implementation must be finished. When the decision is made to operate with the kilometer rate, it can be done.
Is there a scheduled schedule?
Not yet.
Therefore, the possibility of paying for Bicing, AMBici or a taxi with T-Mobilitat even less?
The system is designed to integrate all public transport systems and the public bicycle is a candidate to be part of this. It is not ruled out that in the future other private services for public use may enter, but it is not the most immediate objective, we have to go to peace.
After four months at the helm of the ATM, have you already understood how it is possible for this project to accumulate so many delays, problems and unforeseen events?
I haven’t started looking back, I’ve focused on looking at what we have and working on what’s left to finish. It is such a large well in time that digging in the past brings nothing.
Rodalies is free and the most used cards, such as the T-Usual, are half price. Is this pricing policy sustainable over time?
We have not marked the bonuses. Public transport needs resources for maintenance, it must be sustainable, not only environmentally, but also economically. Part of the funding comes from the user, it is now more or less 36% of the total, and the rest comes from the administrations.
Before it was distributed almost at 50%…
There are places like Luxembourg where 100% of the system is financed. It’s a model, but I don’t think it’s the best. We have not had much incorporation of people who have left the car and switched to public transport as a result of the discounts. It has been noticed more in a step from the T-Casual to the T-Usual, and that is already very good.
Returning to the original prices will be a complicated political decision…
Yes, without a doubt. Everything can continue the same if the administrations decide that it is not the users who pay, and they have a permanent commitment.
Do you foresee this scenario?
It is unlikely. The bonuses that are being given are flat, at all hours and to the vast majority of users. They respond to a specific and exceptional situation. Now the aid should be maintained, but it would be more interesting if each transport authority decided to dedicate it where it is most needed to offer the best possible solutions.
Why would they opt for the ATM?
There are needs for new rolling stock to respond to demand and for the infrastructures that are about to be completed.
And would you keep part of the current extraordinary sales?
There are bonus titles that general users could pay for perfectly without any crisis. We are talking about 20 euros more per month. A bonus can help make the system more equitable, like what we’re doing with the titles of groups that have special needs, or make the system more efficient. In this sense, for example, travelers outside peak hours should be subsidized to make a part of the people switch to off-peak hours and thus gain more capacity in peak hours.
Is that an option on the table?
When T-Mobilitat is fully operational, users who travel at certain times outside peak demand or depending on use can be subsidised. Solutions limited to certain routes could also be made. If you have to discount one thing, other than the entrance tunnels to Barcelona at rush hour.
The contributions of the administrations prevented a serious hole in public transport during the pandemic. Has your financial health recovered?
The problem with the system is that we are paying it year by year and it is difficult to plan. Let’s catch up instead of being able to have a plan four years ahead. A financing plan is urgent, ideally for ten years, but I am content with four years.
Meanwhile, is new debt being created?
It is not that a hole is being opened, the means are being provided to be able to assume the expenses, but there are a series of pending investments that need a financing plan to be able to address them as soon as possible. Administrations must include this need in their priorities. If this is not the case, there will be no improvements to the offer.
