According to a statement released by Transportes Metropolitanos e Lisboa (TML), the company responsible for Carris Metropolitana, the first bus lines to offer this system began testing on July 23, including line 1624, with the Cascais (Terminal) – Portela de Sintra (North Station) route; line 2769, with the Lisbon (Campo Grande) – Santo António dos Cavaleiros route, via Cidade Nova; and line 3001, which connects Almada (Cristo Rei) to Cacilhas (Terminal).

The presentation of the new option, which will soon be included on lines beginning with 4, took place on Wednesday during a symbolic trip on line 1624, departing from the Cascais Terminal to Portela de Sintra, via Azoia and Almoçageme.

The event was attended by Carlos Humberto de Carvalho, the first metropolitan secretary of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML), Rui Lopo, the administrator of TML, Nuno Piteira Lopes, the vice-president of the Cascais City Council, and Teresa Mesquita, the executive administrator of SIBS.

The Tap&Ride service has also been available since Wednesday on lines 1633, with the Ericeira (Terminal) – Portela de Sintra (North Station), 2727, with the Oriente Station – Loures route, via Unhos, and 3701, between Almada (Hospital Particular) and Algés (Terminal).

The expansion to other lines will continue "in a staggered manner over the coming months," with new activations weekly.

"We are building a more modern and intelligent mobility system, where technology is at the service of a better passenger experience. This new functionality reflects our strategy of investing in digital solutions that simplify and encourage the use of public transportation," explained Rui Lopo, quoted in the statement.

The new option allows passengers to use bank cards with contactless technology to directly pay for fares on buses, similar to what is already available on the Lisbon Metro, "providing a practical, fast alternative that eliminates the need for cash or pre-purchased tickets."

"Making life simpler through easy, fast, and secure payments is part of SIBS's DNA. This project embodies this mission; it will be possible to travel on Carris Metropolitana conveniently and immediately, using only a card and without the need for top-ups [...]. We are confident that, in the future, this solution will be an essential element in the intermodal mobility of the metropolitan region," said Teresa Mesquita.

Since June 1, 2022, Carris Metropolitana has been operating in four areas (concessioned to different private operators), including the 15 municipalities of the AML (African Metropolitan Area) that have delegated their responsibilities to Transportes Metropolitanos de Lisboa.

Area 1 operates in the municipalities of Amadora, Oeiras, and Sintra, operated by Viação Alvorada. Area 2, operated by Rodoviária de Lisboa, covers Loures, Mafra, Odivelas, and Vila Franca de Xira.

Area 3 operates in Almada, Seixal, and Sesimbra, operated by Transportes Sul do Tejo, and Area 4 is managed by Alsa Todi.

Carris Metropolitana's operations also include connections to municipalities that have not delegated responsibilities and directly manage municipal transportation: Barreiro (TBC), Cascais (MobiCascais), and Lisbon (Carris). Therefore, Carris Metropolitana includes connections to Barreiro (3 and 4), Cascais (1), and Lisbon (in all four areas).