Passengers who still have the model can use it at turnstiles until this Saturday (31); After that, tickets can be exchanged for QR Codes at the ticket offices at Paraíso and Tatuapé stations, from 6am to 10pm.
The Edmonson-type magnetic ticket, used to access Metro stations since the system began commercial operations in 1974, will no longer be accepted at station turnstiles from this Sunday (1st). As a result, tickets can be used at the turnstiles on lines 1-Blue, 2-Green, 3-Red and 15-Silver until this Saturday (31).
According to Metro, it is estimated that 1 million magnetic tickets should be in the hands of passengers. Therefore, from November 1st to January 31st, 2027, people who still have this means of access will be able to exchange them for QR Codes at Paraíso and Tatuapé stations.
The measure marks the transition of payment methods to digital, electronic and contactless means available in the system.
How to exchange
Passengers who still have magnetic tickets can go to the ticket offices at Paraíso stations, on lines 1-Blue and 2-Green, and Tatuapé, on line 3-Red, from 6am to 10pm, to exchange them for QR Codes. Magnetic tickets must be valid and in good condition.
People who have up to 10 tickets will be able to exchange them at the same time as the request. Those who have more than this amount must submit them for analysis and validation, presenting their identification document and providing an email address or telephone number to contact after the procedure. After investigation, the passenger will be informed about the date of collection of the QR Codes.
Modernization
With the end of the circulation of magnetic tickets, passengers will be able to pay for tickets with Bilhete Único, TOP card and single tickets with QR Code, whether printed or digital.
People will also be able to make payments at the turnstiles, using physical or virtual credit and debit cards from the Elo, Mastercard and Visa brands.
Why will the magnetic ticket end?
In addition to the difficulty of maintaining reading equipment, the production and distribution of magnetic tickets involves a structure considered more complex.
According to Metrô, the cards need to go through stages of specialized manufacturing, transportation, secure storage, distribution to stations and stock replenishment.
There are also costs related to logistics, storage, transportation, inventory control, collection and maintenance of equipment used to read tickets.
Ticket is part of the history of the São Paulo Metro
Despite being replaced, the magnetic ticket has become one of the symbols of the history of subway transport in São Paulo.
The model has been with the system since 1974, when Metrô began its commercial operations. For decades, the small cardboard with a magnetic strip was used by millions of passengers traveling to work, school and other appointments around the city.
For the Metro, the ticket also became part of the emotional memory of São Paulo residents and different generations who used the system.
The model joins other objects that marked different periods of technological evolution, such as telephone plugs, pay phones and analog clocks on the platforms.
System originates in the 19th century
The name of the model used by the Metro originates from Thomas Edmondson, station master of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, in England.
Beginning in 1839, Edmondson developed a standardized system for issuing railway tickets. Technology replaced the old handwritten tickets with previously printed and numbered cards.
Tickets were validated at the time of sale, allowing more control over the railways' operations and revenues. The system ended up being adopted by railway companies in different countries.
More than a century later, the model reached the São Paulo Metro. When the system began operating commercially in 1974, cardboard tickets with a magnetic strip were considered modern technology.
Now, after more than five decades of use, the system will be definitively discontinued.
