Integrated Digital Ticket to Revolutionize Public Transport in Milan and Monza
Milan and Monza are on the verge of a significant transformation in their public transport system with the introduction of an integrated digital ticket, set to begin experimentation by 2026 and be fully operational by 2028. This innovative system aims to simplify daily commutes for residents, tourists, and daily travelers, allowing them to use their smartphones to access and pay for travel across all modes of transport.
What is the new integrated digital ticket and how does it differ?
The new integrated ticket for public transport in Lombardy marks a profound evolution from traditional tickets. It moves beyond the need to purchase separate tickets for different modes of transport, operators, or geographical areas. Instead, it offers a single digital system for using buses, trains, trams, subways, and other services with just one tool.
As explained by the regional councilor for Transport, Franco Lucente, the goal is to enable citizens to travel “on any means, bus, train, tram, subway, boat, with a single digital access and payment system.”
The main difference from older tickets lies in its operational logic: the ticket will be an intelligent system that adapts to the actual journey. Through an app, users will validate their access at the beginning and end of their journey, paying only for the distance actually covered, thereby overcoming the rigidities of time-based or zone-based tickets.
When and where will the experimentation begin?
The experimentation phase will initially focus on the Milan-Monza area. During this period, the new digital ticketing will coexist with paper tickets. The declared objective is to achieve a uniform system on a regional scale, one that is simpler, more modern, and consistent with digital mobility models already prevalent in other European contexts. Experimentation is scheduled to begin by 2026, with the system expected to be fully implemented by 2028.
How does the current ticket system work in Milan?
Currently, the public transport ticketing system in Milan and its surrounding area is based on STIBM, the Mobility Basin Integrated Tariff System. This system covers the capital, the municipalities of the Metropolitan City, those in the province of Monza and Brianza, and some areas of the province of Lodi.
The territory is organized into concentric zones, with Milan at the center, identified by progressive codes ranging from Mi1 to Mi9. Each journey is priced based on the number of zones crossed, affecting both the cost and the validity duration of the ticket.
- For those traveling exclusively within the Municipality of Milan, an urban ticket is provided.
- For those traveling beyond city limits, it is necessary to identify the departure and arrival zones and purchase a ticket valid for the extreme zones of the route.
The system becomes more complex when crossing multiple areas. If the journey occurs within the same outer zone, it is still necessary to include a bordering zone. If the route passes through Milan, the fare must always include the Mi1 zone and the furthest zone reached.
Once the correct ticket is chosen, the same ticket allows the use of various means and operators: subways, ATM buses and trams, Trenord railway lines, and services from other public transport companies active in the STIBM basin. However, the user’s role remains central, as they must know the zones crossed in advance and select the appropriate ticket.
Some price examples
To give an idea of the cost for some journeys in the metropolitan area and to know how to get to Milan, the tickets you will need to buy are:
- Urban Zone (only for the municipality of Milan): Tickets valid only on ordinary or subsidized season tickets.
- Mi1 – Mi3: This ticket includes Milan and neighboring municipalities. The cost of a single ticket is 2.20 euros, a day ticket is 7.60 euros. Ten tickets cost 19.50 euros.
- Mi1 – Mi4: A single ticket costs 2.60 euros, and a day ticket is 9.10 euros.
- Mi1 – Mi9: This is the longest journey starting from or passing through Milan. The cost of an ordinary ticket in this case is 4.80 euros.
These examples highlight the current complexity that the new integrated digital ticket aims to simplify, offering a more intuitive and cost-effective solution for travelers.
Source: https://www.idealista.it/news/vacanze/mete-turistiche/2026/02/04/320675-arriva-il-biglietto-integrato-digitale-a-milano-e-monza-la-sperimentazione-dal
