According to Metro de Medellín, open payments reach the Medellín Metro from 11 November 2026. Passengers can enter the network by tapping contactless Mastercard and Visa debit or credit cards on an enabled validator, without buying or loading a transport card first. Digital cards registered in Apple Pay and Google Pay will also be accepted.
Where it starts
The rollout begins on Line A and Line B. At first, one validator per station entrance will be enabled. According to the publisher, the system will be extended as the renewal of the fare collection system advances, with more than 3,000 validators planned. Metrocables, the tram and buses will be added progressively.
Who it is for
The option is aimed mainly at occasional users, visitors and anyone who needs quick access without a Cívica card. Cívica remains in place. Metro de Medellín states that open payments do not replace Cívica, which still offers a personalised profile, differential fares and integration benefits.
What comes next
According to Metro de Medellín, later phases will enable open payments on the remaining lines of the system, including integrated routes and intermunicipal services that use the Cívica fare system.
Statements from partners
Mastercard and Visa both described the launch as a way to make everyday travel simpler through payment methods people already use. Bancolombia also took part in the announcement. The general manager of Metro de Medellín, Tomás Andrés Elejalde Escobar, said the change expands the ways to enter the system for residents and visitors alike.
Key details
- Accepted cards: contactless Mastercard and Visa debit and credit cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Start date: 11 November 2026, on Lines A and B first.
- Cívica remains available alongside the new option.