Banks Boost Digital Payments in Metro and Metrobús; 2026 World Cup Accelerates Cash Reduction

A joint campaign by the Mexican Banking Association (ABM), the National Commission for Financial Users Protection (Condusef), Visa, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Getnet is actively promoting digital payments across Mexico City's Metro and Metrobús systems. This initiative is a key part of a broader strategy to significantly reduce cash transactions during the 2026 World Cup.

Institutions reported that all stations within both transit systems now accommodate payments via international cards. Early testing phases saw transactions from Visa cards issued in 78 countries, underscoring the goal to enhance the travel experience for visitors during the global sporting event and bolster digital payment infrastructure for tourism and urban transit.

Emilio Romano, president of the ABM, highlighted that digitalization and financial inclusion are top priorities for the financial sector through 2030. He pointed to public transportation as a crucial opportunity to decrease reliance on cash and expand financial access. Condusef president Óscar Rosado Jiménez added that the growth of contactless payments must be paired with financial education to ensure users can safely navigate and utilize these new methods.

Visa's country manager for Mexico, Francisco Valdivia, noted that integrating digital payment methods into public transport not only improves mobility but also fosters financial inclusion. The participating organizations are committed to continuing their efforts to broaden access to digital payments, adapting to the evolving needs of mobility and tourism in Mexico City. Since 2021, these entities have invested in enabling card payments across the capital's main mass transit systems, with contactless payments beginning in Metrobús in September 2021 and expanding to all lines by October 2023. Implementation in the Metro system started in September 2024.