Mastercard, Trevo and Ubirider bring contactless payments to Portugal

By Gloria Methri

Trevo, the public transport service operator for the city of Évora, announced that it has adopted Ubirider‘s digital platform ‘Pick’ which provides contactless payments on their public transport network, with the collaboration of Mastercard.

Trevo users can now make contactless payments on board buses using contactless cards, smartphones, or smartwatches without the need for a physical ticket. This system, called ‘Contactless EMV’, is used in many cities worldwide, but Évora is the first city in Portugal to implement contactless payments.

Ubirider’s Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform Pick allows Trevo to integrate means of transport and mobility such as buses, trains, rideshare, or scooters. Through the Pick Hub app, users can plan their trips with more options, pay, and use their digital tickets with simplicity. Pick also includes features through which transport service providers can get access to information and payments.

“It is incredibly satisfying to see the realization of our goal – making Trevo the most modern digital platform for public transport management in Évora, as well as offering our users a simple and convenient process to purchase transport tickets and pay by digital or contactless means,” said Pedro Deus, CEO of Trevo.

To give a further push to the contactless payment system, Mastercard is offering cashback to those who pay their Trevo bus fare using Mastercard cards on Mondays.

“Mastercard is accelerating the digital transition in the public transport sector in Portugal by providing access to innovative solutions that result from partnerships, just as we have done before in many cities around the world,” said Maria Antónia Saldanha, Country Manager of Mastercard. “Residents and visitors to Évora can now make contactless payments in public transport, with simplicity and convenience. Operators reduce transaction costs by up to 80% when compared to classic travel cards.”

Paulo dos Santos, Founder and CEO of Ubirider added, “Our focus is improving transportation – not only to make the experience of using it significantly better, more integrated and simpler for individuals, but also to empower cities and transport operators to gain  valuable insights about how their transport networks are being used, so that, with agility, they can make adjustments to better meet the needs of citizens, businesses and environmental sustainability.”