Paying for the bus with a card is now possible in Palma: what changes for EMT users

PalmPaying for the bus with a bank card is now possible on some buses in Palma.Municipal Transport Company (EMT) The new payment system on buses has begun to be activated, a measure eagerly awaited by users and part of the fare and technological integration process with the Mallorca Transport Consortium (CTM), agreed upon in November 2024. The new system is already operational on approximately half of the fleet, around 13 buses. Card payments also allow for automatic discounts of 40% for the first passenger and up to 60% for accompanying passengers, in groups of up to six people. With this addition, EMT aligns itself with the payment model already in place across the rest of the TIB system—train, metro, and intercity bus—and takes a step forward in facilitating the use of public transport for occasional users, visitors, or people who do not have any transport pass.

The system will be implemented gradually, and it is expected that all EMT buses will have this technology by the end of March 2026. During this period, the different payment systems will coexist to ensure a smooth and gradual transition for users.

Goodbye to 10-trip tickets

Coinciding with this change, as of Thursday, January 29, 10-trip tickets, single urban tickets, and prepaid airport and port tickets will no longer be valid on EMT Palma buses. Users with unused travel tickets can request a refund from the EMT Palma Customer Service office, without an appointment, until July 31, 2026. Currently, all buses accept the Single Card, which will be phased out by the end of March 2026. Those with any of these tickets will be able to travel free of charge throughout 2026, as outlined in the EMT budget and announced by the central government.

Payment by bank card is now fully operational on lines such as the A1, which connects the center of Palma with the airport, and represents a clear improvement in the accessibility of the service, especially for those who use the bus occasionally or not regularly.