New digital ticketing system tested by Budapest Transport Centre on airport shuttle bus 100E

For the time being, the Budapest Transport Centre’s (BKK) new digital ticketing system will be implemented on one line. The new system will allow you to buy and validate tickets on the bus with a credit card, without the need for a paper ticket or registration in an app.

New digital ticketing system in Budapest

Katalin Walter, CEO of BKK, held a press event on the testing of the new digital ticket purchase and validation system in Budapest, in the City Hall Park on 20 June 2023. During the test period of Budapest Pay & GO, it will be possible to buy tickets on the 100 E bus service between the city centre and Liszt Ferenc Airport using a credit card or a phone. Source: MTI/Lakatos Péter

The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) is testing a new digital ticket purchase and validation system on the 100E Airport Express, the Budapest Municipality, BKK, Mastercard and K&H Bank announced on Tuesday in Budapest, Index reports.

“From now on, it will be much easier to travel on the 100E line to Liszt Ferenc Airport and back, no app needed, just a credit card or a smartphone,” said Gábor Kerpel-Fronius, Deputy Mayor for Smart City and Participation. “A smart city means that we are open-minded, our aim is not to reinvent the wheel, but we are looking at how other cities are solving the problems we are facing and learning from them,” he said.

Only a credit card or a smartphone is needed

Source: MTI/Lakatos Péter

Katalin Walter, CEO of BKK, stressed that public transport in the 21st century can only be realised together with digital developments, which is why the introduction of BudapestGO was so important.

“Budapest Pay and GO is a digital solution used in many places around the world, where a credit card or smart device can be used to purchase and validate tickets with a single touch, without the need for a paper ticket or registration in an app,”

said the CEO.

This is only the first step

Source: MTI/Lakatos Péter

She pointed out that this is only the first stage of the electronic ticketing system, as it is being implemented on one line and one product.

“The introduction of the e-ticketing system is a multi-billion development, we don’t have that much money,” said Katalin Walter, explaining the decision. She added that in addition to money, development over several years is needed, for which it is important to be able to gather relevant experience.

Andrea Király, Head of the Retail Division of the K&H Group, said that the system is fast, easy to use, convenient and very reliable.