The fully digital ticketing system in Budapest has been given the green light

 In recent years, BKK has significantly developed its digital channels: it launched the BudapestGO application – which it regularly expands with new functions based on customer needs – and, as a prelude to the introduction of the electronic ticket system, it made the Budapest Pay&GO payment service, which ensures ticket purchase and validation in one step, available on a pilot basis on the 100E Airport Expressz route and the M1 metro line.

The essence of the Budapest Pay&GO service is that purchase and validation are carried out in one step, by swiping the bank card (or other smart device) against the ticket validation device. It takes place with the touch of a button, there is no need for prior registration or downloading an application, nor a paper ticket, and the journey can begin immediately. The bank card-based solution is now considered an international standard: it is used by hundreds of large cities around the world. According to the plans, BKK will extend the Pay&GO service pilot to all metro lines in mid-April.

It will appear on all metropolitan and agglomeration lines

In parallel, the transport organization company created the concept of the electronic ticketing system in Budapest, using the experiences of the pilot, analyzing foreign best practices and taking into account the specificities of metropolitan transport.

At its meeting on February 25, the Metropolitan Assembly supported BKK’s concept for the Pay&GO electronic ticketing service and the initiation of the public procurement procedure necessary for the operation of the system. According to the company’s plans, the Budapest Pay&GO system will offer a solution to as many customer needs as possible, so that both regular public transport users and occasional passengers can find the most favorable product type for them. In addition, the service allows for the setting of spending limits – for example, daily or weekly limits – during occasional trips, so that customers always receive the most favorable tariff that suits their needs. According to BKK’s calculations, Pay&GO type bank card payments may appear in stages on the entire public transport network of Budapest and the agglomeration from the first half of 2028.

“BKK’s goal is not just to introduce a new technology, but to create a system that is understandable and convenient for everyone, which will make the use of public transport in Budapest even easier” – said Ágnes Diószegi. BKK’s Deputy CEO for Customer Relations and Sales added that the success of the Pay&GO pilot shows that customers are open to simple, quick solutions, and BKK is building on this to move forward with the introduction of a complete, city-wide electronic ticketing system.