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Metrorex is purchasing 128.81 million new magnetic and contactless cards under a contract worth nearly RON 25 million

Riana Gegiu

2 November 2026, 13:28

Current Affairs

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Metrorex has awarded a contract worth RON 24.98 million, excluding VAT, for the supply of 128.81 million magnetic cards and contactless cards intended to provide passenger access to metro stations. The contract, initially estimated at RON 25.01 million, will run for two years, from 2026 to 2028.

The cards will be supplied by Quantum Protect and the consortium of Inform Lykos, as leader, and Austrian Card. Quantum Protect will deliver the magnetic cards for RON 10.54 million, excluding VAT. The Inform Lykos–Austrian Card consortium will supply rechargeable contactless cards and heat-sensitive ultralight contactless cards, worth RON 14.44 million, excluding VAT.

The procurement is intended to ensure continuity in revenue collection from metro fares. The contract will be financed both from the subsidy provided by the state budget and from Metrorex’s own revenues.

The Bucharest transport operator carries, on average, between 600,000 and 700,000 passengers per day. Metrorex operates nearly 80 kilometers of double track, five lines and 64 stations. In 2025, the company recorded revenues of RON 1.26 billion, but ended the year with a loss of RON 312.1 million.

Context: financial pressure at Metrorex and funding blockages in 2026

Before the contract for access tickets was awarded, Metrorex was facing funding difficulties: the 2026 budget was approved at the beginning of the year, but the company estimated declining revenues and a projected loss, with a subsidy from the state budget. Subsequently, the Ministry of Transport decided to suspend access to budget funds until the budget was approved, after the revenue and expenditure budgets for 2026 had not been established on time, and the opening of budgetary credits for Metrorex was refused.

Separately, the company had increasing debts to Hidroelectrica (of more than 11.5 million lei), which raised the risk of disconnection from the electricity supply; the interim Minister of Transport called for urgent measures and explanations, while Metrorex announced that it was making daily payments to reduce the arrears.