The digital payment service introduced by BKK on a trial basis has turned one year old. Budapest Pay&GO has quickly gained popularity among commuters in the capital, with the company’s data showing that more than 1 million tickets have been purchased through the system since its launch. More than half of the users pay with bank cards, 45 percent use smart devices, and nine out of ten users purchase tickets for a maximum of two people.
The number of users of digital payment solutions in the capital’s public transport is growing unstoppable. Budapest Pay&GO, introduced by BKK on a trial basis last June, is celebrating its first anniversary this June, and the company has compiled milestones related to the service on this occasion.
Pay&GO was first introduced on the 100E Airport Express routes last June, and then in November on the M1 metro line. The essence of the digital service is that validation happens immediately with the payment transaction. No paper ticket or confirmation is generated during the process, but customers’ bank cards become suitable for verifying travel authorization in the event of an inspection.
Every Second Pay&GO Purchase Is Made with a Smart Device
Since the launch of the service, more than 1 million ticket purchases have been made through the system. According to BKK data, nearly 35 percent of tickets on the Airport Express routes are purchased through the system, while 25-30 percent of M1 metro line passengers pay with Pay&GO. On the popular underground line, the service is most commonly used at the Heroes’ Square, Széchenyi Baths, Deák Ferenc Square, and Opera stations.
45 percent of system users use smart devices, while 55 percent use physical bank cards. 60-65 percent of travels occur in the afternoon hours, with weekend travel being more typical, though Monday also stands out. 93 percent of Pay&GO users generally purchase a maximum of two tickets at a time.
At the end of the test period on the 100E bus and the M1 metro line, the Budapest Transport Center will evaluate the results and decide on further development directions based on them. Detailed information about using Budapest Pay&GO can be found at the following link.
