The measure, which does not yet have a specific application date, mirrors systems already in place on FGC and Renfe. Validating at the end of the journey will allow for the collection of precise data on user movements, including start and end points, day, and time.
According to Manuel Valdés, Director General of the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM), this information, processed anonymously, will be key to "adjusting supply to real demand" and thereby improving the service by reinforcing routes and schedules with higher saturation.
T-mobilitat, which replaces the old magnetic cards, already allows for tracking the start of journeys. The implementation of exit validators on intercity buses will complete this information, essential for future public transport planning.
“"The project will need to begin once T-mobilitat is fully deployed across Catalonia."
This new functionality will open the door to a transformation of the fare model. It will shift from a zone-based system to one more closely linked to the actual travel distance, thus avoiding abrupt price increases between nearby towns.
The ATM, established three decades ago to unify metropolitan public transport, is working to extend this model throughout Catalonia and complete the technological integration of T-mobilitat. The process, involving the integration of over 70 operators in the Barcelona area alone, has proven more complex than anticipated.
The ultimate goal is for T-mobilitat to integrate all mobility services, including train, bus, metro, tram, shared bicycle, car sharing, and taxi, into a single digital platform. This will enable multimodal journeys to be planned, booked, and paid for through one application.
