Positive evaluation and increase of validations in Red Movilidad by pilot of second validator

Santiago, March 19 – A positive balance of usability and evaluation of the second door validators installed in the Red system buses was made this Wednesday by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications after informing that the measure allowed adding 300 thousand additional validations to the system and that it has fulfilled the purpose of allowing payment to people with reduced mobility, elderly people and mothers or fathers with cars, among others.

The pilot plan completed its implementation last September, with the installation of a second validator on 615 Red system buses, which provide service on 40 routes that pass by health care centers, hospitals or schools, facilitating payment to those who have authorized access through the second door.

Accompanied by the Minister of Social Development, Javiera Toro, and the Director of Metropolitan Public Transportation (DTPM), Paola Tapia, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Juan Carlos Muñoz, said that since September, nearly 300 thousand additional validations have been reported, and more than 50% of the services show a positive result, mainly during peak demand hours.

Minister Muñoz pointed out that “We are proud to know that our pilot plan of second validators at the rear doors of buses has had such positive results. We have registered more than 300 thousand validations in the services that have them, which represents an increase of 50% since its implementation. This is a measure that seeks to improve the travel experience for parents with strollers, caregivers or people with reduced mobility, who can now pay their fare more easily and quickly. Our commitment is to continue exploring and promoting measures that incorporate a comprehensive vision, considering the particularities and conditions of each user of public transport in our country”.

Minister Javiera Toro valued and thanked “the effort made by the Ministry of Transport and the Red Movilidad system, with these validators. When we talk about care, sometimes it is not understood why it involves other sectors, other ministries, but it involves everyone, because the right to the city, to public transport, requires that we also have this perspective of care incorporated. We can see that this measure really facilitates access to public transportation, to the city and to services, for the elderly, people with disabilities and caregivers”.

Meanwhile, Paola Tapia Salas, director of the DTPM, highlighted the appreciation of the measure, and that both users and drivers agree that the installation of a second validator contributes to the modernization of public transportation.

“Actions such as this pilot plan are measures of high social impact because they improve the quality of life and the travel experience of thousands of people on a daily basis. For example, seniors have experienced a change in behavior, representing 18% of those who validate at the second gate and only 13% at the front gate. In addition, a citizen perception study shows that 90% of users believe that this pilot is a measure that modernizes transportation and, more importantly, 85% point out that it is a measure that makes it easier to get on and off the bus”.said the director of the DTPM.

The same study shows that 93% of users and 84% of drivers share the statement that second validators “facilitate payment and access for people with reduced mobility”.

Regarding the statement that the validator “speeds up bus travel times”, 77% of users and 76% of drivers agreed.

In order to select the services that would be part of the pilot, routes with high demand from senior citizens; connecting a greater number of hospitals and schools; and high standard buses were considered.

The validators at the second gate are installed in buses on routes such as I08, I09, 201, 210v, 205 and 508, which mainly travel through districts such as Maipú, Estación Central, Santiago, Peñalolén, Puente Alto, Quilicura and Conchalí.