Bilhete Único

Bilhete Único (Unified Ticket) is the name of the São Paulo transportation contactless smart card system for fare control.

For the transit card in Rio de Janeiro, see RioCard.
Bilhete Único
LocationSão Paulo
Launched2004 for buses
2006 for rapid transit and train
Technology
ManagerSPTrans
CurrencyBRL
Validity
Variants
  • Student (50% discount)
  • Seniors (Free / bus only)[nb 1]
  • Vale-transporte (Corporate use)
  • Persons with disabilities (Free)
  • Pregnant and obese[nb 2]
    E-Fácil (parking)[nb 3]
WebsiteSPTrans.com.br

Using Philips Mifare technology, the solution is managed by SPTrans (São Paulo Transporte S/A), the city bus transportation authority, which is controlled by municipal government. On May 18, 2004, when Marta Suplicy was the mayor, it began to be accepted in buses to allow for up to four rides in two hours by paying a single fare.[1] Since 2006 it can also be used in the local rapid transit system (São Paulo Metro) and suburban railways operated by CPTM.

History

The original technological solution (in about 1997) was based on Seoul's solution and provider, but the project was aborted mostly due software problems with the complex Vale-Transporte regulation.

Around 2001/2002 the project was restarted by SPTrans, which decided to be the Solution Integrator and Sponsor, and chose to have at least 2 solution providers for every supply, and not to depend on a sole provider like most other cities do.

Providers

The SPTrans Projeto de Bilhetagem Eletrônica, which resulted in the Bilhete Único, has at least 30 different solution and service providers directly involved to reach the goal.

The solution was a major gain solving the recharge problem: all cards are pre-paid, and recharge cannot be done on board. Other Brazilian cities failed on create and spread a large recharge network. Due to "win-win" agreements with Electronic Benefits Cards networks and with the National Lottery network, São Paulo has over 6000 recharge points around the city (January 2010).

Other software and hardware solutions providers are: portals and back-office.

  • Microsoft. Windows desktops on all parts. Windows servers, Biztalk and MS-SQL on EDI from garages.
  • Oracle, that provides the central SQL database and Dataware House.
  • IBM, that provides RISC servers and AIX on central processors.

Fares and regulations

As of January 6, 2015, regular Bilhete Único users pay R$ 3.50 for up to four bus rides in a three-hour period. Boarding the rapid transit or the train costs R$ 3.50. An integration between the systems allow for up to three bus rides and either a rapid transit or train ride in a three-hour period for R$ 5.45, provided that the user boards the rapid transit or train in the first two hours.[2] Students and teachers pay half price, while persons with disabilities and seniors have free access.

Notes
  1. For men 65+ and women 60+. Seniors must get a different card to ride the rapid transit and train for free.
  2. Pregnant women from fifth month and people with a BMI over 39.9. These pay a regular fare, but may exit the bus through the front door. Pregnant women enrolled in the UBS (Basic Health Unit) can get a special Mãe Paulistana card, with which they can get free rides for examinations.
  3. Used for parking cars near rapid transit stations. Allows for two rides in either buses, rapid transit or train. Can also be used as a regular Bilhete Único.

References
  1. Izidoro, Alencar (2004-05-14). "Same fare for two hours starts this month in São Paulo" (in Portuguese). Folha de S.Paulo. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
  2. "Bilhete Único information" (in Portuguese). Brazil: SPTrans. Tarifas vigentes. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
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