TarjetaMetro
TarjetaMetro is a contactless smart card used for fare payment across the public transport network of Cárdenas, the capital of Nouvelle Alexandrie. It is valid for the Metro, Cércanias, Trams, as well as most buses. It functions as the unified paying method for Cárdenas, allowing universal fare collection, passes, and discounts across multiple modes of public transport.
History
The concept for TarjetaMetro was first proposed during the second wave of the construction of the Cárdenas Metro in 1691 AN, when the need for a unified fare system was becoming more and more necessary. The simultaneous development of the Tramways also garnered an increasing support for a universal ticketing system in Cárdenas. A pilot was launched in 1692 AN on Metro Lines A and B, to test contactless validation and backend clearing systems. Full rollout to all metro and tram lines was completed by 1700 AN.
In 1703 AN, with the opening of the first Cércanias line (Cárdenas-Jedillo), the smart card was expanded to include the new commuter services. In 1710 AN, the Airport Express Line was also incorporated. In 1719 AN, the new Enlareo was opened with TarjetaMetro connectivity in mind. Over time, the system added support for mobile wallets (in 1720 AN) and online reloading (in 1723 AN), and refinements to fare zones, caps, and discount products were introduced.
Operation
TarjetaMetro is a credit-card-sized, contactless smart card. It is no inherently a stored-value card: rather, valid tickets, passes, and options are loaded onto the card, and each time a user taps on entry (and exit when required) the system checks and deducts or validates the relevant fare. Validation depends on the type of transit option:
- In Metro and Cércanias stations, turnstiles validate cards before entry unto the network and exiting from it.
- In Trams and buses, validation readers are installed on doors, requiring checkouts before exiting.
The backend clearing system validates revenue based on trip data. Users may register their card (i.e. a "personalized" version) to protect against loss or theft; view usage history, and access discount eligibility.
Types
TarjetaMetro support several card types and fare products. Broadly, these are separated into three types: unlimited-travel, discount, and regular fare.
- General Card: the default card, non-personalised. It can only be loaded with single-trip tickets, multi-trip bundles, or period passes. Multiple users may use it (though not simultaneously).
- Personal Card: is personalized, with photo or ID, and non-transferable. Enables applying for discounted fares, blocking the card if lost or stolen, and usage history.
There are multiple fare options and discounts:
- Single-ride: €2.75 for Metro; €4.00 for Cércanias/AEX; €1.80 for Trams/Buses as of 1716 AN.
- Multi-ride bundle: a bundle of 10 trips on a single day at a cost of €15 as of 1716 AN.
- Period Passes: unlimited travel for 7 days at €14.50 or 30 days at €60 as of 1716 AN.
- Concessions:
- People with disabilities and elderly (60+) receive 40% discounts
- Business pass at €8/month for 40% discount
- Students receive 20% discount for a max of 5 years.
- Children under the age of 12 pay no fares regardless of transit method
In most cases, users never pay more than a certain daily cap, which in 1716 AN stood at €15/day.
