Number of card payments in Ostrava public transport is skyrocketing even after two years
Sustainable Urban Mobility
Two years after the passengers were given the option to use their payment cards in the Ostrava public transport vehicles, the use of this service is still rising. Monthly sales total 300,000 of these tickets, while the interest in paper tickets continues to fall.
For two years now passengers using the Ostrava public transport have the option to pay with a contactless payment cards directly at the terminals in the vehicles of the Ostrava Transport Company (DPO). In June 2018, a record 304,577 electronic tickets were sold. Since 30 June 2016 a total of 4,315,200 tickets have been sold totalling more than CZK 78 million.
“This year, we have reached 75% of last year’s sales, and the strongest months of July and December are still ahead of us. Together with card payment increase, we also see a gradual decline in paper ticket sales”, says DPO Director Daniel Morys.
The Ostrava card payment system in public transport vehicles is quite unique and, above all, advantageous. Passengers buy individual tickets during the day according to their needs, and at the end of the day the system calculates the most advantageous fare. The maximum travel costs will never exceed CZK 80, which is the price of a 24-hour ticket.
From February this year, it is also possible to use your contactless card to purchase up to 4 other tickets for fellow travellers, your dog or luggage. For adults, a 45-minute transfer ticket costs CZK 20, while discounted fare of CZK 10 applies to children aged 6 to 15, a dog or baggage. An important new feature is also the possibility to register your card into the system in the on-line shop at karta.dpo.cz. The card will be validated within 24 hours, and passengers can then simply buy long-term pass plans of various duration and use them through the card.