Dortmund's passengers will soon only pay digital - end with cash!
Dortmund's passengers will soon only pay digital - end with cash!
Public transport in Dortmund takes a new direction with the planned abolition of cash payment in buses and trains in 2026. According to RUHR24 it will then no longer be possible to pay for your tickets. Instead, you can use digital payment methods by using an app or paying with EC and credit cards. This is done as part of a decision by the Rhein-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR), which is supported by DSW21.
The switch to cashless payments is aimed at making the ticket purchase more flexible and faster. However, the DSW21 has already made it clear that cash payments on inpatient machines and customer centers remain possible. In buses and trains themselves, only card payments are accepted.
tests and preparation
Tests with card readers in several buses are already running in Dortmund, which offer passengers the opportunity to pay contactlessly. These buses are specially marked and on the go throughout the network. The example from Hamburg, where the cash payment has already been abolished, shows that these changes are not isolated, but part of a larger trend in local public transport in Germany. However, there will be a parallel operation of cashless and cash payments until the complete changeover, such as t-online reported.
A precise date for the complete change has not yet been determined, but DSW21 promises to inform the public in good time about the start date and further changes. The development follows the general trend towards digitization in local transport, which is not only promoted in Dortmund, but also in other cities.
price adjustments and ticket changes
In the context of the upcoming changes, it is also determined that the VRR already increased the ticket prices by an average of 5.5 percent on January 1, 2025 to react to the increased costs. In addition, five ticket types are to be abolished from March 1, 2025, including the Ticket1000 and the YoungTicketPlus. Passengers who acquire these tickets between January 1 and February 28, 2025 can be used by December 31, 2025. The exchange options exist by the end of 2027.
The transformation of local transport is not just a local phenomenon, but part of a global trend. Vivo Magazin emphasizes that public transport is faced with challenges and opportunities through innovative technologies worldwide. The increase in efficiency and the improved user comfort play a central role, while digitization revolutionizes local transport and promotes the use of smart technology
Through intelligent ticketing systems and the use of mobile apps, the user experience is significantly improved. The combination of sustainable means of transport and advanced technologies could be the key to sustainable public transport for Dortmund and other cities.
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