Recaudo Bogotá S.A.S, Bancolombia and MasterCard(press release) have announced the inclusion of electronic payments to promote and facilitate access to Bogotá’s Integrated Public Transit System (SITP). To this end, Bancolombia is integrating a transit component in its Maestro debit cards for use as a means of payment on the SITP blue buses and TransMilenio Phase III articulated buses. Tullave is the means of payment with which one can make use of the SITP and has the highest technology used in major transportation systems in the world and is recognized for its safety standards.

The card can be procured from Bancolombia after placing a request for one’s Maestro debit card in order to have a single product that will allow access to the Integrated Public Transit System and make bank transactions. This form of electronic payment is a convenient, secure and reliable solution, which also facilitates orderly and rapid access to the system. The latest-generation contactless technology is the same as the SITP’s current “tullave” card, which is now expanded through this alliance.

They are offering three categories of cards, the Basic card which costs $ 3,000 and has no personal user data, so do not get the benefits like travel credit or balance recovery in case of loss, however, transfer discounts can be availed if applicable. The Plus card and the Special Plus card which are both personalised cards with the name and identification of the user, have the benefits of discounts for transhipment, travel credit balance and recovery in case of loss. The special plus card is targeted for the elderly population and people living in disability. It is personalized with name, photo identification and user has benefits such as discounts for transfers, travel on credit recovery if lost balance and extra discounts for this population.

Recaudo Bogotá CEO Javier Cancela stated- “After months of working together to unify the technologies, today electronic payment integration is a reality that will undoubtedly contribute to the city’s mobility with an efficient and flexible Integrated Public Transit System. This initiative proves our commitment to continue offering innovative systems and the best technology to simplify the use of the integrated transit system of the city of Bogotá.”

This is an effort to meet the city’s increasing mobility needs. The collaboration promises seamless operation between Bancolombia and Recaudo Bogotá  thanks to the chip and contactless technology. The card can be alternatively used to make retail or banking transactions as well as ‘tullave for the SITP payment.

“This integration initiates the transformation of the country’s public transit system. The implementation of electronic payments will make the transit systems more convenient and efficient, with better entry control, reducing the irregularities that have limited its growth and expansion,” said MasterCard Colombia and Ecuador President Marcela Carrasco.

Users who switch to this system do not need to replenish the card, since their fares will be debited directly from the cardholder’s savings account, and they may use it at all points that accept “tullave,” the current SITP card. For now, this means 6,500 SITP and TransMilenio Phase III buses may be accessed with these cards, but it is hoped that by early 2016, when Recaudo Bogotá is established as the sole operator of the entire SITP, the benefits will be expanded to the whole system.

“In addition to incorporating the functionalities of the transit and financial systems, this card offers our customers the ability to access payment without replenishing. Thus, you will be able to enter the transit system without the need to replenish the card at points of sale, since your fares will be deducted from your savings account in a process after use,” says Bancolombia Payments Vice President Liliana Vásquez, who adds that “the purpose is to strengthen plastic, making it a more complete customer tool, reducing queues and offering payment solutions at any commercial establishment authorized by MasterCard.”

(image credit: Carlos Felipe Pardo)