Medellin has taken a bold step by implementing a new bus route connecting the capital of Antioquia with the Jose Maria Cordova International Airport in Rionegro. Users have the option to pay for the journey using the Civica card from the city’s integrated transport system.
The new route, operational 24 hours a day, features 26 buses, all equipped with electronic fare collection systems. The buses from Medellin to Rio Negro Airport depart from Exposiciones metro station, marking the beginning of a non-stop route. The buses will follow a direct route, passing through the Oriente Tunnel until reaching the Jose Maria Cordova Airport. The fare costs 14,000 Colombian Pesos (approximately 3.4 Dollars).
Civic Card, the new payment method
The main innovation of this intermunicipal route is the ability to pay the fare using the Civica card, a familiar tool for Medellin residents who use the integrated transport system. This advancement represents an unprecedented integration, allowing users to enjoy a more efficient and hassle-free travel experience.
It is projected that this electronic fare collection system integrated with the metro will initially benefit around 30,000 people, facilitating access and direct connection from different points in the city to the international airport. This project not only improves the mobility of citizens but also strengthens Medellin’s position as a pioneering city in public transportation solutions.
Efficient and cutting-edge transportation services from Medellin to Rio Negro Airport
The Medellin Metro, known for its efficiency and quality of service, has taken on the fare collection operation for 34 transportation companies with over 2,300 public transport vehicles serving the Valle de Aburra and Rionegro. However, it is the first time that the Metro has ventured into fare collection for an intermunicipal bus route.
The implementation of this integrated route represents a significant step forward in the vision of more connected and accessible mobility for all residents of Medellin. “It is the first time that the Metro operates the fare collection for an intermunicipal bus route. The agreement allows users of both companies to reach the Jose Maria Cordova Airport, or descend from there, using the Civica card or the QR code from the Tu Civica app,” explained the company.