Athens urban transport enters a new era

Athens urban transport enters a new era as of today with contactless payments by bank card now available for travelers on all Public Transport Means under the responsibility of OASA (Buses, Trolleybuses, Metro, Tram).

With the tap2ride service – which has been available since last April on the airport's Express bus lines – passengers can now board all public transport of Athens Transport and pay for their ticket, passing their contactless bank card over the validation machines on buses, trolleybuses, metro and trams.

Similarly, they can use their bank card even if it is integrated, through an App, on their mobile phone (smartphone) or smartwatch. Payment cards issued by licensed institutions can also be used.

Mr. Vasilis Economou, Deputy Minister of Transport, said: "The introduction of contactless payments in public transport in Athens (Buses, Trolleybuses, Metro, Tram) is an important step in the digital modernization of our city's public transport and in upgrading the daily lives of citizens. The new service "Τap2Ride" provides passengers with an easy, fast and safe way to travel, without the need for physical tickets or cash, since now with contactless payment via mobile or credit card, it will be able to move throughout the transport system. This system not only facilitates citizens every day, but also enhances the experience of tourists, while promoting Athens as one of Europe's modern smart cities."

Ms. Sevi Vassileva, General Manager Greece, Israel, Malta and Cyprus for Visa,  said: “With the assistance of Visa, a new era begins on urban mobility in Athens. Utilising our know-how from more than 800 similar urban mobility projects worldwide, we are introducing a solution that elevates the passenger experience as it makes travelling faster and easier, reduces operating costs by eliminating the need for paper tickets and promotes sustainable behaviours. Moreover, as Athens continues to grow as a popular year-round destination, tap2ride will make travel easier for visitors. We are proud to support the transformation of public transport in Athens with the introduction of digital payments, as we have done in many other European cities."