In July, STIB launched a new payment method that enables passengers to buy a ticket easily and completely contactless: the EMV (Europay Mastercard Visa) system. This system allows STIB passengers to buy and validate their tickets using their bank card or smartphone. New grey validators have been installed in stations and vehicles for this purpose.

To pay for a trip, passengers simply wave their bank card (debit or credit) equipped with contactless technology, their smartphone or their smart watch (with the appropriate payment applications) in front of the validator. As well as making the purchase of tickets faster and especially facilitating last-minute purchases, the system is also very useful for occasional travellers, who no longer have to think about the various fare options. At the end of the day, the system calculates the most attractive formula.

Particularly appreciated during the health crisis, this new contactless payment method is becoming increasingly popular. An average of 4,250 passengers per day use this new service. Between 1 July and 31 December 2020, contactless payment recorded 804,706 validations and 540,000 transactions.