Kaunas is phasing out paper tickets and cash payments in public transport

Kaunas will eliminate paper tickets and cash payments on public transportation starting in December, following a vote by the city council on Tuesday.

Twenty-seven council members voted in favour of the proposal, one opposed it and 10 abstained.

The city says eliminating cash payments will allow drivers to focus on operating vehicles instead of handling money and issuing tickets, helping public transportation run on schedule.

The proposal drew concerns from opposition politicians about access for senior citizens, tourists and passengers affected by banking or payment system disruptions.

Conservative council member Rasa Duobaitė-Bumbulienė asked whether the change would make it harder for older people traveling to Kaunas for medical appointments to use public transportation.

Martynas Matusevičius, head of the city’s Transport and Traffic Organisation Division, said older passengers receiving discounted fares accounted for a small share of those who currently pay drivers in cash.

Passengers can switch their discounted fares to bank cards, and Kaunas Public Transport’s information centre will provide assistance by phone and in person, he said.

The city is also considering installing ticket vending machines at planned public transportation transfer terminals, although their cost and maintenance requirements remain concerns, Matusevičius said.

He added that the contactless payment system had been tested and could continue operating even during internet disruptions, with payments processed later.

Under the new rules, passengers will still be able to use cash to buy or top up public transportation cards at designated sales points, including customer service offices, shopping centres and kiosks.

According to Kaunas Public Transport, tickets bought from drivers with cash accounted for just 4.5% of all fare payments during the first eight months of this year, about one-third fewer than in the same period last year.

About 60% of passengers use public transportation cards, while nearly 35% use the special mobile app, Žiogas. Bank cards and smart devices account for less than 1% of payments.

Contactless payments were introduced on Kaunas public transportation in August last year. Since September, passengers have also been able to buy discounted tickets using contactless validators.