Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is taking a major leap in its public transportation system by introducing a modern and convenient payment method for travelers. Tap and ride system eliminates paper tickets, contributing to sustainable development and enhancing the overall travel experience.
Ridango elevates Vilnius public transport
Since the summer of 2023, Ridango has been operational in Vilnius, implementing technology across nearly 700 vehicles within the Lithuanian capital. The Estonian company has installed 2,000 new-generation DV21R validators on buses and trolleybuses.
Tap and ride is an industry standard in public transport
The recent upgrade includes a sophisticated payment system that allows passengers to use contactless bank cards or smart devices for their rides. As contactless bank card payments have become the new industry standard in public transport, Ridango payment solution leads the way by supporting both MasterCard and Visa cards, including virtual ones.
As the name suggests, contactless payments do not require physical contact between a payment device or point of sale (PoS) terminal. An enabled card or mobile device held close to the payment terminal is all it takes to pay for a ticket. Buying a ticket shouldn’t be a barrier when using public transport. In addition, ticketing solutions should be able to support increased usage when the demand for public transport is high.
5 reasons to switch to contactless payments on public transport
- Reduce waste — Eliminate paper tickets
- Boost safety — No cash exchanges between passengers and drivers
- Enhance passenger experience — No need for pre-purchased tickets or navigating complex systems
- Lower costs — Reduce expenses tied to managing ticketing infrastructure
- Speed up boarding — Minimize queues by eliminating traditional ticket sales
Significant upgrade for Vilnius’s public transportation
Launched at the end of August 2024, this new payment system represents a significant upgrade for Vilnius’s public transportation. Loreta Levulytė-Staškevičienė, Head of Public Transport at JUDU, emphasized the significance of this upgrade: “Implementing contactless payment in Vilnius public transport is a major step towards modernizing our city’s infrastructure. We are excited to offer a solution that not only simplifies the payment process but also supports our commitment to creating a more efficient and user-friendly public transportation system.”
Joining global cities
With this new payment system, Vilnius joins the ranks of major global cities such as New York, Tokyo and London which have adopted advanced technologies including tap-and-ride in public transport. Levulytė-Staškevičienė expressed optimism, saying, “We hope the people of Vilnius will embrace this advanced solution!”
About JUDU
JUDU is a mobility authority of Vilnius – responsible for the traffic coordination, a public transport organization, parking management and operation, promotion of sustainable travel options. In 2023, over 193,500 passengers used public transportation services daily, with trips on trolleybuses or buses receiving a rating of 8.65 out of 10 – the highest rating since 2015. The company also ensures smooth city traffic management and, in collaboration with the Vilnius City Municipality, implements innovative solutions to create a walkable city.
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