Bucharest subway operator buys 150 million magnetic access cards

Bucharest’s subway operator Metrorex plans to buy almost 150 million magnetic and contactless access cards for the new subway access system. The company will organize an auction in March and estimates it will pay RON 36.5 million (EUR 5.9 million), VAT not included, for the cards. The four-year contract will be financed from the company’s own funds and from state subsidies. Metrorex aims to change its subway access system by installing swing gates. A consortium of local companies, which includes Tiab, UTI Grup, and Logic IT Consult, has won this contract worth some EUR 33 million, VAT not included. The access system will be changed in 41 subway stations, where almost 1,400 swing gates will be installed. Metrorex has also bought 139 card vending machines. The project is partially financed with EU funds. editor@romania-insider.com