The power outage that recently affected the entire Iberian Peninsula exposed a critical vulnerability in terms of public transportation infrastructure: reliance upon validation systems that require real-time connections. Numerous transportation networks saw their payment and access services interrupted, generating further delays and many frustrated passengers. However, thanks to EMV Transit, a group of transportation operators were able to maintain their normal operations.

What is EMV Transit?

EMV Transit is a contactless payment solution designed specifically for transportation systems, and based on the international standard known as EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa). It gives passengers direct access to buses, trains, and metros, simply by holding their compatible contactless bank card, cell phone, or wearable close to an electronic reader. They can do this with no need to purchase physical tickets or reloadable fare cards, and with no need to register in any system.

What makes EMV Transit different from other solutions is that it can be operated in offline mode. By using EMV tokens and onboard authorization technology, the devices used for validation can perform transactions without needing a real-time connection with a financial institution. This feature is not only ideal for scenarios such as tunnels or areas with low connectivity, it is also a way of guaranteeing operation even during network downtime, power outages, or cyberattacks.

Benefits of EMV Transit

From the user’s perspective, EMV Transit greatly improves the travel experience. Anyone with an active bank card, whether this means a physical card or a digital version on their cell phone, can access transportation in this way. Furthermore, at the end of the day the system uses its accumulated post‑payment data to automatically calculate the best available fare, which gives passengers savings with no need to plan ahead.

Security is another key feature of this technology. Transactions are performed using the encrypted information contained in the EMV card’s chip, which minimizes the risk of fraud or duplication. And unlike other means of payment, the system does not store any sensitive data, which protects operators and passengers alike. 

The day the lights went out: data 

During the massive blackout, operators using GMV’s EMV Transit system reported validation rates that were 98.6% equivalent to their normal weekday volume. This means that despite the power outage, the mobility of thousands of travelers remained unaffected. In addition, no incidents or access failures were recorded. This real‑world case demonstrates that in critical situations, technology can make all the difference.

Towards mobility that is more resilient, digital, and people-centered

Urban and interurban mobility is evolving towards models that are more digital, sustainable, and inclusive. In this context, having technological infrastructure that can adapt to adverse conditions is no longer just a competitive advantage, it is also a strategic requirement. At GMV, we firmly believe that solutions like EMV Transit represent the future of payment and access validation for public transportation.

It offers more than just impressive technology: it provides tangible value to operators and users in the form of service continuity, reduced operating costs, improved passenger satisfaction, and fare management efficiency. In short, this is a solution for the future whose time has already arrived.

Author: Antonio Blanco