Person holding a cellphone in front of a payment terminal with the Mercado Pago logo on a yellow background
ARGENTINA

Paying for public transportation with Mercado Pago is now possible and easier than ever.

The new system with a QR code operates on 174 lines and prevents the use of cards or prior recharges

Since this Monday, bus passengers across the country have been able to add a new payment method: the QR code from Mercado Pago.
This measure allows passengers to pay for their fare from any phone, without relying on physical cards or advance top-ups.

According to information provided by Mercado Pago,  this first stage has reached more than 174 bus lines distributed across several provinces.
Unlike the QR used in stores, the user only needs to bring their code from the app close to the validator's reader to confirm payment instantly.

Twitter post announcing that you can now pay for the bus using a Mercado Pago QR code, showing a hand holding a phone with a QR code on the screen inside a bus.
Marcos Galperin, the entrepreneur who founded Mercado Libre, and his post on X about the new payment method for public transportation | Redacción

How QR payment from Mercado Pago works

The system operates from any cell phone, even without NFC technology or an internet connection. The passenger can choose to pay with account funds, a debit card, or a credit card linked to their Mercado Pago profile.

Previously, this company already allowed passengers to pay for trips with its prepaid card, an option that remains available. The new feature simplifies the process and expands alternatives for users.

People boarding a bus at a Metrobús stop in a city
Public transportation users have a new fare payment option | Redacción

Where QR payment from Mercado Pago is available

The service has been implemented on buses in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), Catamarca, Córdoba, Jujuy, Mendoza, Neuquén, Río Negro, San Luis, Santa Fe, and Tucumán. In the coming months, this method will be progressively added to the rest of the country.

According to a survey by Mercado Pago,  8 out of 10 users consider this payment method to be simpler and more practical, highlighting its speed. In addition, 64% value being able to travel without worrying about the balance on their transportation card, and 65% plan to use it for most of their trips.

The experience has already been tested in the Buenos Aires subway network, where in its first month it surpassed one million payments.

➡️ Argentina

More posts: