Will the endless search for "monedas" (coins) come to an end? The electronic ticket started functioning today. Passengers will be able to use it to travel with four bus lines (5, 8, 50 and 101), the Urquiza and Belgrano Norte railway lines, and subways.

Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner had announced on February 4 that the Joint Electronic Ticket System (SUBE) was going to be implemented in the next 90 days. A week ago, the government informed German company Giesecke & Devrient had been chosen to provide the five million cards that would be needed at the initial stage of the programme.

Only 50.000 will be given to the passengers. The rest will come progressively.

The SUBE electronic fare will, at least for a while, be compatible with the Monedero system that has already been implemented in the subway. Other bus lines will implement the system in a near future, the government said.

The SUBE card can be loaded with money in subway stations, with the same system as Monedero's. As for tomorrow, cards will be handed out for free to passengers in the following places: Stations Constitución, Retiro and Once and crossroads Cabildo/Juramento, and Florida/Diagonal Norte.