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NXP set to power new contactless transit card programme in Madrid
8 Dec 2010

NXP Semiconductors is set to provide the microcontroller to power the new contactless transit card programme in Madrid, it has been revealed.

The technology firm is supplying its MIFARE DESFire EV1 contactless microcontroller IC to drive the new payment system in the Spanish capital.

Local transport agency Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid (CRTM) will operate the transport system, which covers the city's urban metro, bus and rail networks.

Henri Ardevol, vice president and general manager of secure transactions at NXP Semiconductors, claimed the firm's product underwent strict testing before being chosen.

He said: "Due to the size of Madrid's public transportation systems, CRTM wanted to deploy the most secure and scalable contactless automated fare collection solution possible."

Further applications can be added to the card in the future, including banking transactions.

According to NXP, around 1.8 billion journeys are made across Madrid's transport network ever year.