Adults aged 65 and older in Chile are entitled by law to a 50% discount on regulated public transport fares. While residents in regions outside Santiago can access this benefit by simply presenting their identification card to bus drivers, those in the Santiago Metropolitan Region must obtain a specific plastic transit card to pass through turnstiles and validate the subsidy.
Choosing the right transit card in Santiago
Users in the Santiago Metropolitan Region must choose between two distinct credentials based on their daily travel habits. The Tarjeta Bip! Adulto Mayor (BAM) Intermodal provides the 50% state-subsidized discount across the Red bus network, Metro, and MetroTren Nos, allowing for fare combinations. Alternatively, the Tarjeta Adulto Mayor de Metro (TAM) is exclusive to the Metro network, offering a fixed, reduced fare of $230 pesos at any time of day.
Selecting the incorrect card can result in unnecessary costs or the inability to use specific transport modes. It is important to note that if a user currently holding a TAM card chooses to apply for the BAM intermodal card, the former will be automatically deactivated.
The Tarjeta Adulto Mayor de Metro (TAM) offers a flat, reduced rate of $230 pesos for Metro journeys.
How to request the Bip! Adulto Mayor Intermodal card
The process for obtaining the intermodal card requires a payment of $1,550 for the plastic card, which does not include initial travel credit. Applicants must access the official Bip! website, log in using their RUT and ClaveÚnica, and complete the required personal information form.
Payment is processed via the integrated WebPay platform using credit or debit cards. Once the transaction is complete, users may choose to have the card dispatched to their home address for an additional fee or schedule a free in-person pickup at designated ChileAtiende or Metro offices.
For those who rely exclusively on the underground network, the TAM provides price certainty, while the BAM is designed for users who frequently combine bus and rail travel. Users should carefully evaluate if they use buses before switching, as the automatic deactivation of the TAM prevents maintaining both options simultaneously.
Regional access
Outside of the Metropolitan Region, the process is streamlined. Passengers in regions such as Valparaíso and the Biobío, as well as those using regulated rural buses, do not need a special plastic card. Presenting a valid national identification card to the driver is sufficient to verify eligibility for the 50% fare reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of the Bip! Adulto Mayor Intermodal card?
The cost for the card is $1,550, which covers the value of the plastic credential itself and does not include any pre-loaded saldo.
Can I keep my Metro TAM card if I get the new intermodal card?
No, if you apply for the new Bip! Adulto Mayor Intermodal (BAM) card, your existing Metro TAM card will be automatically deactivated.
How do seniors in regions outside Santiago access the discount?
Seniors living outside the Metropolitan Region simply present their cédula de identidad to the driver when boarding regulated buses.
Which transport network do you use most frequently in your daily routine?
