M
alaga is captivating since day one for tourists and peripheral residents as well because of natural vista, rich cultural heritage and vibrant streets. Navigating cost effective transportation in hustle of city life is a hectic task for residents and tourists as well. Transport system represents true picture of state’s administration and ethical sense. Malaga has so complex transport system, some times even locals are confounded. Here are encompassing guidelines regarding card system for transport in Malaga.
Tarjeta de Transporte Publico has been introduced to make transport system smooth in Malaga. Smart Public transport card is dynamic and innovative technology that has been designed by City Transportation authority to promote sustainability and to provide swift, consistent and excellent travel experience.
Types of Cards in Malaga
Three type of public transport cards are available to have discounted transportation. Two are common, red card is only for residents of Malaga.
Train Card (TCS): Train card other name for this is Tarjeta Sin Contacto (TCS) that means ‘contactless card’. This card is gray purple colored. It is available to anyone at train station. It is reusable and doesn’t expire. Card could be paper or plastic made. Paper made is cheaper as compared to plastic made. It works for both regular commute and free train ticket (abono recurrente) as well. If you purchase abono recurrente at station, then it’s compulsory to have physical card with you. But if you choose online system then you will be given a QR code.
Renfe train has two routes that run across the city. These are C1 and C2 and both routes become parallel at station Victoria Kent and run till Malaga Centro Alameda. C1 starts at Fuengirola while C2 starts from Alora.
Green Bus Card: Green Bus Card same as Train Card is type of a wallet. Green bus card is available at book shops, tobacco shops and other shop. Beside this if you face hurdles to know about selling points of green bus card you can visit Consorcio Malaga site. Tourists, locals, anyone can purchase green bus card. It’s purchases and recharge system is simple. As smart card is rechargeable so, depending upon topped-up balance you can enjoy multiple journeys with convenience of paying with single card and subsidized fares. Minimum recharge limit is 5 euros and total balance should never cross 500 euros.
The card and amount in it don’t expire. By using this card instead of paying 1.55 euros for a trip, 50 cents are debited from this green card. It offers a good discount and charges vary every time. The reason behind this is it depends upon your commute. If you are intended to visit more towns, then more charges are deducted. Another advantage is that unlike train card, it’s family card, any family member can use and you can also tap it more than more time on reader. Card is valid for some coastal areas like Fuengirola to Torrox, passing by Mijas, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Málaga and Rincón de la Victoria, as well as several inland towns. But this is invalid for Estepona and Marbella
You can download Consorcio app from play store.
Resident Bus Card (EMT): Resident bus card is also known as the red bus card is issued only for permanent residents and valid for bus lines that don’t leave for neighboring town, having route within city. EMT bus service also falls under this category. It offers transportation free on some urban lines. M-103 line is free for people having Benalmadena resident card. On red card M-106 and M-107-line tickets are also available on demand, but you have to book it 72 hours before. If you are interested, you can download it from play store on android.
Metro Card: Metro card is rechargeable card with limit of 25 euros. If 9 passengers are travelling together on same trip, they all can pay their fare through this card. This card is not transferred on individual name. Card is recharged by cash mode at metro station or by bank transfer. Furthermore, Transport Consortium travel card is sold via network of kiosks and tobacco shops nominated by transport authority. It is multimode card that can also be used at metro train.
Metro has two-line routes to offer convenient and fast travelling experience. Both lines intersect at El Perchel station. Route one begins at Andalucia Tech and has eleven stations to give easy approach to university, central court and hospital. Route second start from Palacio de los Deportes and has seven stations from where you can reach densely populated areas like sports center and beach. Metro Malaga app is available at play store to have complete details about timings, route and fare.
Purchasing Transport Card in Malaga
Card can be purchased from any related sale point linked with consortium. Card purchase fee is 1.50 euros. While configuring card indicate number of hops. It doesn’t matter how much you want to customize the card, when you use the card in different modes of transport, the number of discounted trips is related with journeys not with hops. Following routes are considered as exceptional case:
- M-104 Pizarra-Zalea-Cerralba-Hospital
- M-137 Gibralgalia-Pizarra
- M-144 Gibralgalia-El Sexmo
- M-152 Málaga-Los Gámez
- M-250 Málaga-Almogía-Pastelero
- M-253 Málaga-Antequera
- M-254 Málaga-Rute (by Antequera)
- M-256 Málaga- Antequera-Valle de Abdalajís
- M-257 Málaga-Sevilla (by Antequera)
- M-258 Málaga-Úbeda (by Antequera)
- M-259 Málaga-Córdoba (by Antequera)
- M-265 Málaga-Alameda (by Antequera)
- M-266 Villanueva de la Concepción-Antequera
- M-330 Málaga-Cerralba-Zalea
Working of Card After purchasing card all you need is just travel and enjoy. After getting on the bus and before scanning card in front reader you will have to tell driver about your commute. After reading card, computerized slip is generated to check deducted and remaining balance. With single card swipe you can purchase tickets for 15 passengers and all tickets must be purchased within 3- minutes time flap.
Why Public Transport Card?
Wide range of pros of transport card make it necessary for everyone to get is registered for navigating transport route. Card could be used for various transportation mode like bus, trams and trains. Convenient payment method obviates the need to purchase separate tickets for different routes. You can simply pay the fares by this smart card. Top-up stations are designed at various locations to enjoy hassle free journey without worries.
Integrated card system offers them discounts making public transportation cost friendly as it enhances quality of their life. Beside these special promotions on card makes your daily commute easy. As these enchanting offers attract people so they prefer public transport instead of private vehicles that promotes sustainable environment by reducing air pollution and traffic congestion. On the other hand, there is no need to purchase separate passes or tickets for errands and exploring rich cultural heritage. Transport card is a boon for visitors. Discounted fares allow them to maximize their budget to explore more and enhance travel experience.
Conclusion
Transport card is valuable addition and advancement in city’s infrastructure. Benefits and features of this card make is essential tool for travelers who want to explore Malaga. Public Transportation in Malaga is symbol of innovation that is improving living standard of residents as well. If you are plaining to explore Malaga then you should avail this travel card to have best experience.
