Published: 2023-06-22
Budapest's transport company, BKK, has introduced a new digital payment and ticket validation system for the shuttle bus connecting the Hungarian capital with Liszt Ferenc International Airport. The digital solution, which is contactless, is being tested in partnership with Mastercard and K&H Bank, and will begin trials from 20 June 2017.
Contactless payment system
The new payment system will allow passengers to purchase and validate their digital voucher with a bank or credit card, smartphone or smartwatch via a terminal instead of buying tickets online or offline. The voucher price will be deducted immediately from the passenger's account. Similar payment systems are used in various Western cities, including London, which monitors daily travel and only deducts the fee of a daily ticket.
Budapest Airport express shuttle bus
The digital payment system trials will only be carried out on the Budapest Airport express shuttle bus NR 100E, which operates 24/7. The bus service underwent modernisation earlier this year to add 150 new MAN Lion’s-type buses providing "premium" service for users. Prior to the digital payment trials, passengers had to buy tickets either offline from vending machines or customer service centres or online via the BudapestGO app.
Partnership
Mastercard and K&H Bank have partnered with BKK for the testing of the new digital payment and ticket validation system. Budapest's transport company has raised the commute frequency of bus 100E in June, reducing the follow-up time during peak hours to only 7-8 minutes on workdays.
Questions & Answers
What is the new payment system being tested on Budapest's shuttle bus to the airport? Budapest's transport company, BKK, is partnering with Mastercard and K&H Bank to test a contactless payment and ticket validation system on the shuttle bus connecting downtown Budapest with Liszt Ferenc International Airport.
When will the testing period for the new payment system begin? The testing period for the new payment system will begin on June 20, 2017.
What do you need to purchase and validate your digital voucher with the new payment system? With the new payment system, you can purchase and validate your digital voucher with your bank or credit card, smartphone, or smartwatch via a terminal.
Will I still be able to buy shuttle bus tickets offline or online? During the testing period, you will not be able to buy shuttle bus tickets offline or online. Instead, you will need to use the new digital payment system.
Is the new payment system similar to the one used in London's public transport? Yes, the new payment system on the Budapest shuttle bus is similar to the one used in London's public transport.
How often does the 100E express bus commute? The 100E express bus commutes 24/7.
What is the frequency of the 100E bus during workdays? During workdays, BKK has reduced the follow-up time from 10-15 minutes to only 7-8 minutes.
What are other ways to purchase shuttle bus tickets besides the new payment system? Before the testing period, you could purchase shuttle bus tickets offline using a vending machine or customer service centre. Additionally, you could use the BudapestGO app to buy an online ticket.
