Greece Launches Contactless Payments on Buses in 33 Cities and Islands
Commuters in 33 Greek cities and on the islands will be able to make contactless payments on public buses, Visa announced this week.
The country’s KTEL intercity bus service partnered with Visa and NBG Pay implementing for the first time in Greece contactless payments on public transport with locally-issued or international credit, debit and prepaid cards.
The move aims to improve the experience of millions of passengers, helping them save time and at the same time encourages the use of public transport in city centers for more sustainable transport.
Under the new smart system, commuters will be able to pay their ticket by swiping their card, mobile phone or watch at ticket machines.
“Public transport is vital for city economies. Passengers and visitors, from Greece and abroad rely on them to get to work, head to local businesses to buy necessities, or for sightseeing and entertainment. In 2022, the Visa network processed more than 1 billion contactless payments worldwide on mass transportation,” said Sevi Vassileva, Visa general manager for Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Israel,
“As tourism recovers, this technology is expected to further improve the travel experience of those visiting Greek cities. With more than 550 cities internationally already in the program, we are delighted to offer our global expertise to Greece as well,” she added.
“The implementation of the contactless payment program is an upgrade and modernization of the urban KTEL services to passengers and provides added value as it simplifies the ticketing process,” said Panhellenic Federation of Urban Transport President Michalis Sakellariou.
As well as a list of cities /islands it would be helpful if the KTEL group of companies could have a decent website showing a timetable with the possibility of booking a ticket.
https://www.ktelevias.gr/ – this has got to be one of the worst websites I have even used. In September (2023) I want to travel from Skopelos to Athens via Ferry & then bus from Mantoudi, they have a big banner advert on their own website promoting this route, so natuarlly you would think you’d be able to book it. Think again, in true left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing it is not possible to find any information about this service. Seriously poor show!
Would it not be more useful to implement contactless payment ONBOARD the bus, rather than having to orienteer our way to a ticket machine?
Or would that feel too much like dragging Greece kicking and screaming into the 21st century?
A list of the 33 cities in question would be nice.