BARIK (meaning « without » in Basque
language), as is called the new electronic
ticketing project for the metropolitan area
of Bilbao (1m inhab.), was launched in
February in the context of a pilot scheme.
4 metro stations, and 3 bus lines are used
for this experiment that aims to check
during 6 months that everything goes all
right before generalisation to all ticket
holders.
The cards can be refilled both in
metro stations and in bank automats,
illustrating the co-operation between
transport organisation and financial
institutions.
650 persons of different age
and travelling habits take part in this pilot
phase, whose cost, estimated at €0.6
million, is funded mainly by the financial
institutions involved in the project.