The Banco Central de Costa Rica presented the Monedero SINPE-TP this month. This prepaid contactless card lets people pay for rides on buses and trains without needing a bank account. The card forms part of the Sistema Nacional de Pago Electrónico en el Transporte Público, or SINPE-TP. It targets users who rely on cash for daily commutes.
Around 400,000 people who take buses and trains every day in the Gran Área Metropolitana do not have bank accounts. The new card gives them a way to handle payments electronically. Sales start in April through a pilot program. People can buy the card at Puntos Tucán operated by Banco de Costa Rica and at BN Servicios from Banco Nacional. These points operate in the metropolitan area of San José. The network will expand later to reach about 6,000 locations across the country.
To purchase one, individuals over the age of 12 need to show valid identification. The card costs 5,000 colones. That price includes 4,000 colones in ready-to-use balance for travel expenses.
Users recharge the card through SINPE Móvil transfers or bank mobile apps from Banco de Costa Rica and Banco Nacional. The card itself carries a SINPE Móvil number that accepts free transfers around the clock. It also has an IBAN number that accepts deposits from institutions such as the Ministry of Public Education for student transport support.
Passengers tap the card on contactless validators installed in participating buses and trains. About 2,000 validators operate now on routes run by 60 bus companies in the metropolitan area. More routes continue to join the system. The card lasts four years. Owners can hold up to 10 cards each. The maximum balance reaches 250,000 colones.
People check their available funds and review trip history in the SINPE-TP Pasajero mobile application. The app is available free on major app stores. The Monedero SINPE-TP offers a practical option for daily travel. It forms part of broader efforts to modernize payments in public transport and reduce cash handling.
The card works only for transport payments. It does not support purchases in stores or cash withdrawals. This rollout builds on the existing SINPE-TP platform, which already processes millions of electronic transactions.
