ctb reports

Users of the 28,000 cards issued free in September 2011 to begin trials on the system and other cards not yet updated can extend the expiry dates at any of more than 500 points in the Bizkaia public transport network: automatic ticket machines on Metro Bilbao, Bizkaibus and Bilbobus ticket booths, tobacconists’, newsagents’ and retailers registered for the system. Just ensure that you complete the process before the date on which your Barik card expires.

The CTB is looking for a group of users of personalised (photo-type) or registered Barik card users to help test a mobile app over the next 4 months. The app is for Android 4.0 & higher OSs, and uses NFC technology.

Today the CTB (Bizkaia Transport Consortium) is starting a pilot scheme to enable Barik fare cards to be recharged via mobile devices. The CTB is currently seeking users to help test the system with a view to improving it to the level where it can be phased in on a large scale by the end of the year. Volunteers wishing to join this group should have a personalised (photo-type) Barik card or a registered card and a mobile phone with NFC technology and an Android 4.0 or higher OS.

Users who meet these requirements can sign up via the “PILOTO NFC” tab in the “acceso a mi barik” [“Access to my Barik Card”] section of the CTB website (ctb.eus). The CTB will then e-mail them a link where they can download the app onto their phones. This new app will enable users to top up any Barik card as many times as necessary just by selecting the ticket to be recharged and entering the details of a bank card (secure e-commerce) for payment of the relevant amount.

In barely two weeks, more than 200,000 Barik cards have had their expiry date extended by 3 years. From last 13th July, the Biscay Transport Consortium (CTB) made it possible to change the effective period of both the personal and transferable Barik cards from 4 to 7 years at Metro Bilbao stations. Starting from next Tuesday 4th August, this operation can be done at a further 550 points of the Biscay transport network (Bizkaibus and Bilbobus ticket offices, tobacconists, kiosks and commercial outlets adhered to the system).

In order to extend the expiry date of the cards that are currently in use, users must go to a Metro Bilbao station before the expiry date indicated on their card and must insert it in a ticket sale and top-up machine, which will automatically update the valid period without any cost for the user.

Likewise, from next Tuesday, 4th August, users can extend the expiry date of their cards at Bizkaibus and Bilbobus ticket offices, at tobacconists, kiosks and commercial outlets and can make consultations or top-up their cards, updating the valid period automatically and without any cost for the user.

The CTB (Bizkaia Transport Consortium) has decided to extend the expiry date on all its Barik contactless fare cards by 3 years. This decision applies to both cards already in circulation and the new cards purchased as from today.

Technical studies conducted by the CTB have shown that the chips built into Barik cards – a pioneering system when launched in comparison with those used by other operators in the area – are still providing optimum performance after 4 years of operation, so their useful lifetimes can be extended.

To extend the expiry date on Barik cards already in use all that users have to do is insert their card into any automatic vending and recharging machine at a Metro Bilbao station at any time. The expiry date will then be extended automatically at no charge to the card holder. This can be done at any time as from today, provided that the Barik card has not already expired.

The CTB (Bizkaia Transport Consortium) has decided to extend the expiry date on all its Barik contactless fare cards by 3 years. This decision applies to both cards already in circulation and the new cards purchased as from next Monday 13 July.

Technical studies conducted by the CTB have shown that the chips built into Barik cards – a pioneering system when launched in comparison with those used by other operators in the area – are still providing optimum performance after 4 years of operation, so their useful lifetimes can be extended.

To extend the expiry date on Barik cards already in use (both white and red cards, with and without photos) all that users have to do is insert their card into any automatic vending and recharging machine at a Metro Bilbao station at any time as from 13 July, provided that it has not already expired. The expiry date will then be extended automatically at no charge to the card holder

At a meeting held at midday today the Board of CTB approved a motion to tender for the replacement of the system of screens at the Metro Bilbao control centre, as part of a plan gradually to modernise the “nerve centre” of the network. CTB is to call for quotes for the supply of a video wall comprising 18 x 50” modules, for an initial price of €259,545 (including VAT).

Other points approved at today’s CTB Board meeting include three future actions to facilitate the uninterrupted progress of work to eliminate the level crossing in Urduliz.

. The contactless card of the CTB to move around Biscay using public transport reached the figure of 118,311,765 journeys last year.
. 71.5% of the journeys using public transport in the Region were done with Barik.
. Today, there are more Barik cards than inhabitants in Biscay: 1,209,544 cards.

More information about Barik: http://www.ctb.eus/es/como-funciona-barik

The ticket created by Consorcio de Transportes de Bizkaia for travellers aged under 26 registered as resident in Bizkaia can be used on Metro Bilbao, Bizkaibus and Bilbobus services (and on the Artxanda funicular railway). A total of 603,889 journeys were made using this type of ticket in less that 6 months from its introduction on 21 July 2014 and the end of the year.
Gazte ticket holders are entitled to discounts of 50% on single fares and 20 or 30% on Creditrasn fares.
There are currently 8,200 Gazte type Barik cards enabled for use in Bizkaia.

The ctb is to change the lighting at the Areeta, Moyua and San Mames Metro stations to LED technology.
This is part of the Metro energy efficiency plan, and comes in teh wake of the replacement of the fluorescent lamps at Abando and on 24 trains from the UT 500 series.
The ctb is to invest € 150,000 in changing the lighting at the Metro Bilbao stations of Areeta, Moyua and San Mamés.
This measure is being implemented mainly to save money: the new fluorescent tubes are estimated to use 57% less electricity.

On Thursday 22 January at 10.00 a.m. the Torre Madariaga Basque Biodiversity Centre in Busturia is to host the presentation of the Activate + programme, which is aimed at saving and caring for the environment"

As in previous years, ctb, in partnership with Metro Bilbao, will be at the Children’s Christmas Park, with a stand to entertain children and young people alike

NFC technology is used to top up Barik cards and consult the movements

Bizkaia is to extend the Activate + programme, which publicises everyday actions to improve our world.1.

The new “GAZTE” travel card comes into operation on Bizkaibus and Metro Bilbao on Monday 21.

The CTB (Bizkaia Transport Consortium) and El Correo offer prizes for the best views of public transport

The CTB has awarded the contract to overhaul the Metro Bilbao track to Sopela and Urduliz

One million Barik card in service

An interesting cycle of talks in the Activate+ programme.

CTB announces data in study on "The contribution of the public-sector policy on transport in Bizkaia to the economy and to employment".

Classification of organisations answerable to Cosorcio de Transportes de Bizkaia that belong to the local public sector.